Station 1
Who is the author?
Lucille Fletcher
What are the two key themes in the story?
Isolation and Vulnerability - Fear of the Unknown and physical/emotional isolation.
When does this story take place?
Post-War America 1940s
Who is the main protagonist who is a wealthy and anxious woman confined to her bed due to her illness?
Mrs. Stevenson
What is a play?
A play is the form of literature where actors perform lines and acts/scenes
When and where was the author born?
- 1910 - Brooklyn, New York.
What was the key theme of Physical and Emotional Isolation about?
Mrs. Stevenson is trapped in her home, she relies on the phone for everything.
Radio
Who is the person who interacts with Mrs. Stevenson when she makes phone calls for help?
This person helps us understand how communication was difficult back then.
The Operator
What is important to know about the structure of the story when it comes to acts and scenes?
Plays are typically divided into acts and scenes.
What did was Fletcher best known for?
contribution to radio drama in the 1940s
What was the key theme of Fear of the unknown about?
Isolation can lead to fear and anxiety - communication fails which causes stress.
People isolated themselves in the 1940s and stayed inside by themselves; a central theme of the play. What was the term called?
Urbanization.
Who is Mrs. Stevenson's Physican?
Dr. Alexander
How will the characters perform?
They speak in lines (dialogue) and perform actions (stage directions).
Fear, isolation, and human psyche.
In the role of technology with telephones, what did the story want to emphasize?
Telephones often failed to connect people meaningfully.
What item was becoming a common household item that operators had to help with?
Who was the authority figure during this time period and story who was useless?
The Police Officer
What are stage directions?
Instructions on how to tell the actors how to move, express emotions, and interact with their environment.
What did Fletcher mainly focus on with her main characters?
They were strong females facing tough situations that reflected society issues and the change of roles with women during the time.
In Gender Roles, what did women struggle with during the 1940s and what gender dominated this time of society?
Male-Dominated, Identity
What were the Gender roles during this time period?
Men went to war, women had to work. Men came home and women had to rethink their identity.
Who is the character who represents abandonment and anxiety for Mrs. Stevenson?
Her Husband
What set design or props does Sorry, Wrong Number heavily rely on?
Sound