"The British are bad news to the Irish" - "Explore critical views and explain your own viewpoint as to whether this is the point Brian Friel is making in his play Translations."

"Translations" By Brian Friel "The British are bad news to the Irish" "Explore critical views and explain your own viewpoint as to whether this is the point Brian Friel is making in his play Translations." The quote "The British are bad news to the Irish" is taken from the article "What's On in London" and it was the writer Kenneth Hurren who wrote the column. Kenneth Hurren also wrote in this column, "With Translations it transpires that Friel is not at all foolish and has shrewdly cottoned on to where he was making this mistake in pressing for the withdrawal of Britain and her troops from his country. Fundamentally he is still making the same points, he is still saying that the British are bad news to the Irish; but he is saying it subtly and persuasively in terms of a marvellously eloquent and ostensibly fair - minded play, full of humour and humanity, instinct with grace and understanding." Brian Friel was born in 1929 and has had a successful career as a play-writer he is known for his famous plays "Philadelphia here I come", "Lovers", "Freedom of the city", "Faith Healer" and many more excellent plays. All of Friel's work has had something to do with Ireland and Irish themes. Brian Friel's "Translations" is a play, which is an interpretation of Ireland in the 1830s and the play shows a great change in the society at that time. At the time "Translations" was

  • Word count: 3430
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How effective might an audience find the ending to the play?

How effective might an audience find the ending to the play? In the last portion of Act 2, the audience bears witness to Michael's final soliloquy and prior to this there is a reminder of the unsettling and at times disheartening nature of the play. In the last segment of Act 2 we finally witness the outcome of the kite that in the process of being made throughout the play. However the images portrayed on the kite are "crude, cruel and primitively drawn". Descriptions which convey the notion of a sense of unease as the play comes to a close, which is further explored through Michael's final soliloquy. The audience immediately sees the disheartening effectiveness of Friel's implementations of stage directions, as while Michael recites the final lines of dialogue of the play, we see the Mundy sisters "in positions similar to their positions at the beginning of the play" while "Kate cries quietly". The tone that pervades Michael's soliloquy are one of a sad and poignant nature. This extract effectively informs the audience of the sadly rapid pace of change that occurred, and which results in the sad breakup of the family - which all is in many ways symbolic of the stifling social and cultural circumstances in Ireland during the 1930's. In addition, this ending to the play is very much successful in conveying the idea that the change that affected this family deeply impacted

  • Word count: 714
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How does Brian Friel establish the theme of language and its effects on communication, power and identity in Act one?

How does Brian Friel establish the theme of language and its effects on communication, power and identity in Act one? In the play Translations, language and its effects is clearly one of the central themes. This is evident because the characters all show what language means to them ranging from Hugh who uses his knowledge of languages as a form of power over the British to Owen who does not show any concern for his language and identity and allows the British to call him Roland. Furthermore the title of the play Translations is ironic because although one of the themes of the play is keeping your identity the book itself looses its identity. This is because although the play is written by an Irish author and set in Ireland, it is written in English. Thus the title foreshadows the outcome of the play. One of the ways Brain Friel establishes the theme of language is by using Sarah as a device to convey the bare minimum of language. Her limited knowledge of language limits her communication. However this could also be a benefit to her as she is able to have secrets without being expected to share them. Sarah is first introduced in the play by the stage directions which say "Sarah shakes her head vigorously and stubbornly" this is because Manus wants her to speak so she has an identity in the world. This could foreshadow that the Irish, who do not want to speak English will be

  • Word count: 1798
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The passage upon which is the center of discussion is taken from Act one, scene one of Molière's theatrical 17th century comedy Dom Juan.

French Drama Commentary Melissa Chima Introduction The passage upon which is the center of discussion is taken from Act one, scene one of Molière's theatrical 17th century comedy Dom Juan. In this scene we are introduced to Sganarelle who is a servant to main Character Dom Juan, and we see chauffeur of Done Elvire, Gusman on this sole occasion. The character of Dom Juan however is not presented to the audience until the next scene-this is the only scene in which he and Sganarelle are not seen simultaneously. The play commences with a discussion between these two characters concerning Dom Juan. This entails Sganarelle in discussion to Gusman on the subject of Don Juan and his marrying Done Elvire, Dom Juan's most recent seduction, due to Gusman's confusion as to why Don Juan has abandoned her. This is a significant scene as it gives a characterization of the two main characters at the start of the play. Sganarelle describes Dom Juan whilst also representing his contradictory character to the audience. The audience is almost warned of Don Juan before he is able to appear on stage, dramatizing his entry. It is Sganarelles final speech which accomplishes this, and therefore merits a closer examination in a stylistic respect. The passage has a particular theme. It functions in order to portray both the subject of the discussion and the speaker. The tone is somewhat serious

  • Word count: 1337
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Commentary on Act 1 of the book Translations by Brian Friel.

Commentary on Act 1 of the book Translations by Brian Friel The opening paragraph of the play Translations tells us in great detail about where the play is set. It is set in a hedge-school, which was a disused barn or hay-shed. The opening of the play makes us see that there are two means of isolation. The language binds together the community and in this play we will see how differences in language split society. Manus is teaching Sarah to speak as the play begins. He is being very patient with her and he thinks that it is important to teach her to articulate, 'Come on, Sarah. This is our secret'. When you see how Sarah is finding it hard to speak English it makes you feel that she is the symbol for Ireland's backward position. Jimmy on the other hand represents the educated civilised tradition of old Ireland. He is a scholar, however Sarah is the opposite. She is a contemporary Ireland, as she has no voice to speak out. She has no capacity for taking part in the modern world. Sarah just wants to become part of the society. The way Manus is pushing Sarah to speak, for example, 'Raise your head. Shout it out. Nobody's listening'. You feel that Manus does not want Sarah to be a nobody in the community, so he is helping her. The way that Sarah acts around Manus makes you feel that she fancies him, 'Manus hugs Sarah. She smiles in shy, embarrassed pleasure'.

  • Word count: 2931
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Re-read Dancing at Lughnasa from the end of Act 1, page 38 (the stage direction Father Jack enters) to page 42 (bottom of the page). Discuss the importance of ceremony and its effect on an audience in this extract and in the

Re-read Dancing at Lughnasa from the end of Act 1, page 38 (the stage direction 'Father Jack enters') to page 42 (bottom of the page). Discuss the importance of 'ceremony' and its effect on an audience in this extract and in the play as a whole. Brian's Friel "Dancing at Lughnasa" portrays the use of ceremonies within the play. The play enables the audience to relate to the different cultures portrayed within the play and the contrast between the Irish and African Culture. This extract emphasises the contrast between the two cultures and significantly represents the importance in ceremonies within both cultures and how it is an ultimate way of escaping. The play is set during the Lughnasa festival this is significant in the sense that when Father Jack returns from his time in Uganda the audience are able to compare the two different ways of life, rituals and ceremonies in Uganda and Ireland. Throughout the play, the sisters discuss the Lughnasa festival that they know only from a rumour. Kate forbids discussion of the ceremonies but curiosity still hovers. Though the women appear to be practicing Catholics, there is a conspicuous lack of religious ritual in their lives. Religion functions more as a set of rules and admonishments than as a source of strength and spiritual renewal. Perhaps it's not the faith they yearn for, but the ceremony. Father Jack also speaks about of

  • Word count: 1184
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Examine the dramatic and thematic significance of the role of crossing boarders in Translations.

At the end of the play, Jimmy Jack says "and the word exogamein means to marry outside the tribe. And you don't cross those boarders casually, both sides get very angry." In the light of this quotation, examine the dramatic and thematic significance of the role of crossing boarders. In many ways, Translations is a pessimistic play, particularly about the capacity of people from different cultures to communicate to each other. It is pessimistic in the sense that all attempts to break past ancient barriers fail. It is in this sense that the theme of crossing boarders is very significant in the very foundations of the play. More specifically, Translations highlights the importance of language, and communication in general, for the conflicts between different groups. Lack of communication builds boarders and makes them impenetrable. The structure or Translations allows Friel to explore several layers of events and themes. On one level, it is about a series of local incidents in a small village in northwest Ireland in 1833, which compel the characters to change the way they live. On another level, its sole purpose is to explore the themes of cross cultural conflict and communication. This themes are explored through the characters, them relationships and what happens to them in the play. We see attempts to cross boarders in many of the characters. The first example is our first

  • Word count: 1128
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Tensions in act1

Translations Discuss the variety of and significance of the tensions in act 1. 'Translations' by Brian Friel is a play written to inform the audience of the loss of culture and lack of understanding between England and Ireland. This book is ambiguous concerning what the moral of the play is. This could vary from Hope vs. Death to Understanding vs. Misinterpretations. Misunderstanding someone or something, as we all know can be quite frustrating. Act 1 contains many scenes of which can portray this in some way or other. Sarah arrives in act one as a mute, Manus tries to help her to speak her name but she appears unable. Gradually she succeeds. This in itself symbolises a lack of communication between two people. Considering Sarah can hardly complete a sentence, selfishly jimmy interrupts their conversation by illustrating to them both that he is perfectly intelligent and on top of that he not only can he construct a sentence but he can deliver in more than one language. 'Get your tongue and your lips working 'My name'- come on 'my name is'- good girl'. Of course this does not simply mean that Sarah cannot communicate with Manus but the subtext meaning could be analysing the communication between the two countries, England and Ireland. I believe Sarah to be a representation of the silence that Ireland are being practically forced to accept and obey. Contridictivly, Sarah is

  • Word count: 1055
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Discuss the means by which Ibsen uses language to convey the nature of Helmer and Nora and the relationship between th

A Dolls House Discuss the means by which Ibsen uses language to convey the nature of Helmer and Nora and the relationship between them. Ibsens use of language helps us see the characters nature and to find out their personality and structure of the characters relationships. Each character has their own unique use of language. This helps us to see the difference between the characters and their relationships. As we read through the play A Dolls House this becomes clear when we learn about Nora and Torvalds relationship and how it changes throughout the play. As we read throughout the play, the language used by Torvald gives us an invaluable insight into his character, He never seems to be stuck on what to say and his language remains confident and constant throughout the majority of A Dolls House. Torvald see's himself as above Nora, he is a controlling and dominating person, he contantly uses imperative language and interrogatatives to overrule the conversation. He uses sarcastic language such as "Do I have to tell you". He is shocked that Nora doesn't already know because he expects everyone to have the same views as he does. Helmer sees himself as above Nora, this wasn't unheard of in this era, Men went to work whilst women stayed at home and looked after the children. We can tell that Torvald see's himself as superior to Nora, he thinks shes not going to succeed in being

  • Word count: 848
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Discuss how Friel presents the characters and introduces the main themes in Scene 1 of Making History.

Discuss how Friel presents the characters and introduces the main themes in Scene 1 of Making History. The play starts with Harry Hoveden telling Hugh O'Neill about a christening party he has been invited to. This introduces the play as "being born", and is now about to begin. This naming ceremony also links in with O'Neill and Harry's conversation about the name of the flower that O'Neill is filling the room with. This discussion of 'Spanish broom' is a foreshadow of a discussion O'Neill has with Lombard about the Spanish influencing Ireland. Hugh O'Neill is characterised as being a very indecisive person: he uses interrogative sentences ('isn't it?', 'doesn't it?'), and can't even decide if he likes his jacket or not. Also, he flits between 'upper-class English accent' and 'Tyrone accent'. This indecisiveness hints at O'Neill's inability to choose allegiance to just one side and to stay loyal to it, which becomes very important in the play later on. In Scene 2, he admits that he is 'loyal today - disloyal tomorrow', and blames it on the capriciousness of the Gaels. This shows that he is using both his Gaelic ancestry and his English nobility to his advantage - manipulating his "dual nationality" to appear loyal to one side, so he can more easily deceive whoever he needs to deceive at the time. This, however, comes later on in the play, and in Scene 1 he still doesn't know

  • Word count: 1608
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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