In Today's lesson we explored characterisation.
The first task was to pick 4 stages of our characters lives, 3 before the play, 1 afterwards. The stages of Nora's life I chose were her as a child, her being introduced to Torvald, being given her first child to hold, and Nora buying a train ticket once she has left Torvald.
I chose Nora as a child to show that she is inquisitive, and bright - features that set her apart from her fellow characters. I did this by sitting in a straddle position on the floor, trying to seem as un-ladylike as possible to emphasise the change from her childhood to when she is older. I also chose for Nora to interact with a butterfly to highlight her interest in her surroundings and to show the audience that she is a bright child.
I then chose to show Nora being introduced to Torvald as it would be a big turning point in her life, also the fact that she is being introduced to him shows her lack of control over her own life which then foreshadows the twist later on in the play when she takes control and leaves Torvald.
The third stage in Nora's life I chose was when is first handed her son, Bob. I chose this because it would have been the first time Nora had any real responsibility. As a woman to a man with a respectable career there would have been little that she was expected to do, but once she had a child - despite having a maid and a nanny- she would have been given something that depends on her. Furthermore, Nora's achievement in the play is that she is headstrong and responsible with money so yet again the short scene foreshadows what is to come later on in the play.
Finally, I chose to show Nora getting a one way ticket on a train because it was a way of showing her independence without addressing it directly. Also as Nora is not set in any scenes outside of her building it shows her growth as she is finally able to leave the constraints of her home and her old life.
In the next activity our task was to write a monologue from any point in the characters life. I chose to write my monologue as if I was writing a letter to Nora's mother about her upcoming marriage to Torvald. By writing a letter Nora is able to voice her real opinions whilst trying to put them into words, which shows the audience her internal conflict. If I were to do this activity again I think I would slow down the pace of speech and perhaps move around more about the stage. This would mean when I come to the final conclusion that I will marry Torvald the audience would be able to see the turmoil in my head.
Anton's devised monologue was good because he moved around the stage to mimic the confusion and panic in his mind. He also had a good use of props, as although he was reading the letter (with his monologue on it) he interacted with it and the chair to make his speech more engaging. He also showed a god contrast in Krogstad's emotions. Although he is seen as the antagonist in the play, he is also quite a desperate character which I think Anton showcased well by jumping from anger to fear and worry.
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