THR-2005 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Theatre Journal
1 Mar 2020
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How Form Follows Function
“Form Follows Function” What does that mean?
A playwright shapes their play’s plot, characters, language, theatrical
contract and given circumstances in an effort to have certain effects on the
audience.
The plot, characters language, theatrical contract and given circumstances
constitute the form of the play and having a certain effect on the audience
is the function of the play
Example from Elizabeth Cullingford’s “Evil, Sin, or Doubt? The Dramas of
Clerical Child Abuse
Elizabeth Cullinford. “Evil, Sin, or Doubt? The Dramas of Clerical Child
Abuse.” Theatre Journal
62 (2010) 245-260
Thesis:
“Doubt challenges its audience to reconsider their assumptions about the
clerical scandals”
Support for the thesis from the plays form
Given Circumstances
Predispose audience to assume guilt
● Catholic school
● Scandals in the news (2004)
Character
Father Flynn is more likeable than his accuser
● Presentational device: Father Flynn’s monologues
● Physical trait: Father Flynn is more attractive
● Language: Father Flynn’s is more pleasing
● Superobjective: Sister Aloysius’ is unclear
● Foil: Sister James makes Sister Aloysius seem harsh
