1. What is exposition?
Exposition is the part of a play (or any narrative) that introduces the audience to the characters, setting, and background information necessary to understand the plot. It typically occurs at the beginning of the play. The aftermath of the climax is known as the falling action and represents the events following the peak of conflict, where the tension begins to decrease and leads to resolution. The climax itself is the moment when the conflict reaches its highest intensity.
2. Properly formatted dialogue for a play
In a play, character names are typically centered and not bolded. Dialogue does not require quotes. Here’s an example:
REBECCA
Mama, please! You have to come with me to hear Truth speak!
3. What playwrights use to introduce setting, characters, and conflict
Playwrights often use exposition, which may include dialogue, stage directions, and narration. They may also use context provided in the dialogue to introduce the initial situation, characters' relationships, and the central conflict.
4. What the playwright uses to tell what characters do or think
The playwright uses stage directions to convey what characters do or think, as well as to communicate information about lighting, scenery, and other theatrical effects. Stage directions guide the actors in movement, expression, and interaction, enhancing the audience's understanding of the characters’ intentions and the environment.
5. Importance of the play being set in New England in 1866
The setting of New England in 1866 is significant because it provides historical context related to the themes of abolition, women's rights, and social justice which are central elements in Sojourner Truth's life and speech. It situates the characters within a specific socio-political climate that shapes their experiences and interactions. The time period reflects the struggles for civil rights and the emerging women's rights movement, integral to understanding the motivations, actions, and dialogues of the characters.
6. Structural part of the play represented by stage direction and dialogue
The stage direction showing Rebecca kneeling at mama's side while pleading with her represents the rising action of the play. This moment indicates the mounting tension and emotional stakes leading to a crucial decision point regarding participation in the speech by Sojourner Truth. It's a pivotal moment that reflects the internal conflict and the relationships between characters, setting the stage for further development of the plot and eventual resolution.