The Man Without a

Question

Country
by Hackett, Walter (adaptation)
PROSECUTOR: To sum up my case as prosecutor
on this board of court martial: Gentlemen, I accuse
the defendant, Lieutenant Philip Nolan, of the
crime of treason against the United States of
America. He is guilty of actively abetting the most
odious political plot in the entire history of our
beloved country. (Loudly) I tell you we have not
seen his kind since the days of the infamous
Benedict Arnold.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection!
JUDGE: Objection overruled.
DEFENSE: But, sir, I can present conclusive
evidence that will prove that Philip Nolan—
 1 of 7 
A)
Use the scene to answer the question.
How does the playwright develop the mood
in this scene? Select the two correct
answers.
(1 point)
The dialogue in the scene is fast paced
with a lot of exclamations.
The scene feels crowded with a lot of
characters.
The courtroom setting provides a formal
backdrop to the scene.
The stage directions in the scene depict
the characters’ emotions running high.
The narrator’s lines at the end of the
scene are foreboding.

Answer 1

The playwright develops the mood in this scene through the following two correct answers:

1. The dialogue in the scene is fast paced with a lot of exclamations. - This creates a sense of urgency and tension, contributing to an emotionally charged atmosphere.

2. The courtroom setting provides a formal backdrop to the scene. - This formality underscores the seriousness of the accusations and the gravity of the situation, enhancing the overall mood of conflict and drama.

These elements together help to establish a high-stakes environment that reflects the emotional intensity of the courtroom proceedings.