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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the exposition in a play?
What is the primary purpose of the exposition in a play?
- To present the climax of the story
- To create suspense and tension
- To introduce characters and setting (correct)
- To resolve the main conflict
Which stage of a play is primarily considered the turning point?
Which stage of a play is primarily considered the turning point?
- Exposition
- Denouement
- Catastrophe
- Climax (correct)
In the context of a play, what does 'denouement' signify?
In the context of a play, what does 'denouement' signify?
- The introduction of the main conflict
- The resolution of conflicts and mysteries (correct)
- The final struggle between protagonists
- The rising action of the plot
What is the significance of the term 'catastrophe' in drama?
What is the significance of the term 'catastrophe' in drama?
What does Aristotle mean when he states that 'plot is the soul of the tragedy'?
What does Aristotle mean when he states that 'plot is the soul of the tragedy'?
Which of the following best describes a 'complex plot'?
Which of the following best describes a 'complex plot'?
How is a linear plot typically characterized?
How is a linear plot typically characterized?
In the denouement, which of the following outcomes may occur?
In the denouement, which of the following outcomes may occur?
What does Jerry symbolize in his interaction with Peter?
What does Jerry symbolize in his interaction with Peter?
How does Jerry view intimacy according to the themes presented in The Zoo Story?
How does Jerry view intimacy according to the themes presented in The Zoo Story?
What economic background does Peter represent in The Zoo Story?
What economic background does Peter represent in The Zoo Story?
What social critique is hinted at through Jerry's character?
What social critique is hinted at through Jerry's character?
What does Jerry's approach to personal space challenge?
What does Jerry's approach to personal space challenge?
What is a significant theme in The Zoo Story?
What is a significant theme in The Zoo Story?
How is Peter characterized in contrast to Jerry?
How is Peter characterized in contrast to Jerry?
What is the critical view expressed by Mary Castiglie Anderson regarding Jerry's role?
What is the critical view expressed by Mary Castiglie Anderson regarding Jerry's role?
What was Popova's reason for instructing Luka not to give Toby any oats?
What was Popova's reason for instructing Luka not to give Toby any oats?
What main conflict arises between Smirnov and Popova?
What main conflict arises between Smirnov and Popova?
Which of the following statements reflects Luka’s view on Popova’s beauty?
Which of the following statements reflects Luka’s view on Popova’s beauty?
What is the primary goal of Brecht's alienation techniques in theatre?
What is the primary goal of Brecht's alienation techniques in theatre?
Which of the following is NOT a technique used by Brecht in his alienation methods?
Which of the following is NOT a technique used by Brecht in his alienation methods?
What is Smirnov’s stance regarding shooting Popova?
What is Smirnov’s stance regarding shooting Popova?
How does Popova react when Smirnov professes his love for her?
How does Popova react when Smirnov professes his love for her?
What is the primary characteristic of street theatre?
What is the primary characteristic of street theatre?
Which statement best describes the Theatre of Cruelty as conceived by Antonin Artaud?
Which statement best describes the Theatre of Cruelty as conceived by Antonin Artaud?
Which of the following best describes the nature of the marriage between Popova and Smirnov?
Which of the following best describes the nature of the marriage between Popova and Smirnov?
What is significant about the title 'The Bear' in relation to the play's themes?
What is significant about the title 'The Bear' in relation to the play's themes?
What is a key aspect of the episodic plot in Brecht's epic theatre?
What is a key aspect of the episodic plot in Brecht's epic theatre?
Why did Antonin Artaud seek to shock his audience through his Theatre of Cruelty?
Why did Antonin Artaud seek to shock his audience through his Theatre of Cruelty?
What does the character of Popova illustrate in the play 'The Bear'?
What does the character of Popova illustrate in the play 'The Bear'?
How does street theatre engage its audience differently compared to traditional theatre?
How does street theatre engage its audience differently compared to traditional theatre?
What does the use of masks and changing costumes in Brecht's theatre signify?
What does the use of masks and changing costumes in Brecht's theatre signify?
What is the primary purpose of dialogue in drama?
What is the primary purpose of dialogue in drama?
According to Aristotle, which of the following is NOT one of the six elements of tragedy?
According to Aristotle, which of the following is NOT one of the six elements of tragedy?
What does the term 'hamartia' refer to in the context of tragedy?
What does the term 'hamartia' refer to in the context of tragedy?
Which type of plot involves peripeteia and anagnorisis?
Which type of plot involves peripeteia and anagnorisis?
What is the outcome of experiencing tragedy according to Aristotle?
What is the outcome of experiencing tragedy according to Aristotle?
How does Aristotle describe the relationship between plot and character in tragedy?
How does Aristotle describe the relationship between plot and character in tragedy?
Which of the following best describes Marlowe’s approach to tragedy?
Which of the following best describes Marlowe’s approach to tragedy?
What emotional response does tragedy aim to evoke in its audience?
What emotional response does tragedy aim to evoke in its audience?
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Study Notes
Edward Albee
- American dramatist born March 12, 1928, Virginia, USA
- Known for works like The Zoo Story (1958), The Sandbox (1959), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962), A Delicate Balance (1966), and Three Tall Women (1994).
- Some critics believe his work is an American variant of the "Theater of the Absurd"
- Three of his plays won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and two of his other works won the Tony Award for Best Play
The Zoo Story Character List
- Peter:
- Publishing executive and family man in his early forties
- Represents convention and propriety and seems to have achieved the American Dream
- Jerry:
- Eccentric transient in his late thirties that lives in poverty on the Upper West Side
- Feels profoundly lonely, which motivates him to seek companionship from strangers
- Contemplative and critical of society, eager to share his opinions about life, love, and isolation
- Peter and Jerry’s conversation is the centerpiece of The Zoo Story
Intimacy Theme
- Jerry has unconventional ideas about what it means to be intimate with another person
- Believes that intimacy doesn't necessarily need to be accumulated over time, but can be achieved by approaching a stranger
- Jerry’s defiance of received ideas about personal space can be interpreted as a critique of the alienation imposed by modern, urban society
- Jerry represents a challenge to the norms of modern, polite society as seen in Peter
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