Narrative Concepts
This term refers to the chronological order in which events take place, ensuring a clear beginning, middle, and end.
What is the Sequence of Events?
The entire sequence of events in the play takes place in this single location.
What is George and Martha's living room?
The title "Walpurgisnacht" translates to a night associated with these figures, reflecting the chaotic pacing of the act.
What are witches?
linear storytelling, as seen in The Very Hungry Caterpillar, helps keep the audience_____?
What is engaged (and attentive)?
Nick reveals a secondary plotline regarding his own ambitions; he eventually wants to take over this institution.
What is the college/university?
Identifiable by scene length and sentence structure, it is the speed at which a story's plot unfolds.
What is Pacing?
Edward Albee structures the play into these major sections to control the narrative rhythm and keep the audience engaged.
What are Acts?
Demonstrating cause-and-effect, Nick reveals that a "hysterical" one of these was the reason he married Honey.
What is a pregnancy?
: Rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue and insults between George and Martha are primarily used to build this emotional feeling in the room.
What is tension?
The normal pacing of the living room conversation halts when this character abruptly runs to the bathroom to throw up.
Who is Honey?
A narrative technique where an author halts the forward sequence of events to show a scene from the past.
What is a Flashback?
George creates a sudden, shocking spike in the scene's tension and pacing by pulling the trigger on this fake object while aiming it at Martha.
What is a toy gun?
During a critical monologue, George tells a story about a boy who went to a bar and ordered a "bergin" after accidentally doing this.
What is killing his mother?
Understanding how an author utilizes pacing leaves the audience curious about this part of a story, also known as the author's motive.
What is the "WHY"?
In a cruel monologue designed to ruin the pacing of the party, Martha tells the guests a story about how she once knocked George out during one of these sporting events.
What is a boxing match?
: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie was used to illustrate this specific type of narrative chain of events.
What is Cause-and-Effect?
The arrival of these two guests is the inciting incident that sets the main sequence of events into motion.
Who are Nick and Honey?
The pacing accelerates as George and Martha play cruel "games," including this specific game aimed at exposing Nick and Honey's secrets.
What is "Get the Guests"?
By keeping the sequence of events confined to the hours between 2 AM and dawn, Albee creates this feeling of _____.
What is claustrophobia (or Uncomfortable closeness or tension)?
During a lengthy monologue in Act I, Martha details how George failed to live up to the expectations of this powerful, unseen character.
Who is her father
A secondary storyline that runs parallel to the main plot, often adding depth to the characters' situations.
What is a Subplot?
The revelation that George and Martha have one of these introduces a major subplot that drives the underlying tension.
What is a son?
As the sequence of events reaches a boiling point at the end of Act II, George assesses the emotional situation and shifts the pacing of their entire marriage by declaring they are now in a state of this.
What is "Total War"?
A long, uninterrupted speech by one character, used to suddenly slow the pacing and reveal deep internal thoughts.
What is a Monologue?
As a direct result of George telling the story about the boy in the bar, Martha maliciously reveals to the guests that George once tried to publish one of these.
What is a novel or a book