kswiki2

//OUR TOWN// WRITING ASSIGNMENT WIKI #2


 * Your text offers suggestion on two basic approaches to acting, ie. the internal and the external. Chose either one and take the scene between Emily and George as your reference point and develop a fragment of "inner monologue" OR tactic concerning interpretation underlying a short section from the scene. I suggest the men choose to deal with George and the women choose to deal with Emily, although if you wish you may choose to develop an "inner monologue" or "external tactic" for either character. You may use up to 500 words for this module, given the complexity of the requirement. Be sure you let me know exactly which section of dialogue you plan to use for developing your answer. **


 * Response/ Explanation:**

In the play, //Our Town//, the struggle between George and Emily, is apparent but not openly expressed. The two have an obvious love for each other but neither character plainly pronounces this love. They are young, and uncertain of their futures both as individuals and together. As an actor, it is crucial for one to portray these characters' struggle and nervousness through emotions, so that the audience can identify with the conflict. By using the technique of inner acting, the actor must connect to the emotions of the character through relating to their own experiences. Stephanie Arnold writes, "Actors working internally views the character as having a life beyond what is contained in the play text" (125). And by looking beyond the play text, one can notice an "inner monologue" present within the lines of Emily's character. It is evident that Emily is struggling with the feelings of being deeply in love with someone who is "unattainable" in a sense. This is because George is leaving for school, and she believes he will soon forget about her. As an actor using inner acting techniques, one must reflect back on a time where she was newly in love but there were many restrictions. Emily cannot openly express her love for George because she risks the feelings not being returned and it would be inappropriate during this time. The actor must reflect Emily's hesitation while still expressing emotion, which becomes crucial in the following scene.


 * //Our Town// Lines (page 54): **

Emily: "//(Winks back tears)// I certainly will. I certainly will, George-- //(sips)// It certainly seems like being away three years you'd get out of touch with things. Maybe letters from Grover's Corners wouldn't be so interesting after a while. Grover's Corners isn't a very important place when you think of-- all New Hampshire; but I think it's a very nice town. //(Sips)//


 * Inner Monologue:**

"Why must you go off to State Agriculture school and leave me here? I am going to miss you, but are you going to miss me? You will be off doing bigger and better things then that of this little town. When you leave I will be worth nothing more to you-- you will have more to care about. What is Grover's Corners anyways? It's just a small town in the scheme of things. But I like this town, and I wish you did too still. I wish you wouldn't leave and forget about this town and all that use to be important to you, like me. I will miss you so. How I do not want you to go and leave me here without you. Things will not be the same. If only you knew how I felt about you-- maybe then you'd change your mind about leaving for Agriculture School."

Reference: Arnold, Stephanie. // The Creative Spirit: An Introduction to Theatre //. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.