"Our Town" Act 3 Vocabulary

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Questions and Answers

How might a character's lugubrious demeanor influence the overall mood of a scene in a play?

A lugubrious character can create a somber or melancholy atmosphere, influencing the audience's emotional response and perception of events.

In what ways could understanding a family's genealogy impact a character's sense of identity or destiny?

Knowing one's genealogy may provide a character with a sense of belonging, inherited traits, or pre-determined roles from their ancestors.

How would a bereaved character's actions differ from someone who has not experienced such a loss, and what impact does this have on those around them?

A bereaved character might exhibit withdrawal, emotional instability, or altered behavior due to their grief, affecting relationships and decisions differently than before their loss.

How might the procession at a wedding differ in tone and significance from a procession at a funeral?

A wedding procession is filled with joy and celebration of new beginnings, while a funeral procession reflects mourning and remembrance; the wedding procession marks the start of a life together, while a funeral procession acknowledges the end of life. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the sense of opportunity might change for a community if a store that was once bustling suddenly becomes vacant?

The vacant store creates opportunity if the town is growing; it leaves a hole in the community if the town is struggling. It might signal economic changes or opportunities for new businesses, impacting the town's morale. Signup and view all the answers

If an author created a device that solved a major environmental problem but did not seek a patent, what consequences might arise?

Without a patent, the author is not protected. Other entities could copy and profit from the device without crediting or compensating the author, potentially hindering widespread adoption or affordable access due to commercial exploitation. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a scenario where a character's ecstatic reaction to an event might be perceived negatively by others in the story.

A character exhibiting ecstatic joy at a solemn event, such as a celebration immediately following a tragedy, might be seen as insensitive or inappropriate, creating tension with other characters. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how unresolved conflicts from the past might contribute to a character's current state of anguish and how they might attempt to alleviate it.

Unresolved past conflicts generate feelings of regret, guilt, or resentment that surface as anguish, especially if related to personal failures. The character may attempt to resolve their grief through seeking forgiveness, making amends, or achieving closure. Signup and view all the answers

How might a mentor figure's placid demeanor impact a student facing great challenges?

A mentor with a placid demeanor can provide stability and calm during their student's challenging times, encouraging rational thinking and resilience rather than succumbing to panic and despair. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways might the theme of eternal love be both comforting and unsettling to a character within a narrative?

Eternal love offers a sense of security and everlasting connection, bringing comfort. But it can also elicit anxiety about commitment or the fear of not living up to the ideal, causing discomfort or pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding sad and dismal.

Genealogy

A line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor.

Bereaved

Deprived of a close relation or friend through their death.

Procession

A number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, especially as part of a ceremony or festival.