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Flashcards in AO4 Deck (16)
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1
Q

Outside threat

A

WW2 - England in a unique position, never invaded but constantly under the threat of invasion: boarding houe represents security and safety which is then invaded by outsiders - Pinter was evacuated

2
Q

Theatre of the Absurd

A

Life was not rational and did not follow laws or logical patterns - echoed in the structure and form of the plays - term coined by Martin Esslin 1961

3
Q

The Room

A

1957 - earliest example of comedy of menace

4
Q

The Room - isolation

A

one room representing safety that is then intruded (Mr and Mrs Sands + Riley = Goldberg and McCann)

5
Q

The Room - memory

A

falliblity of memory (Mr Kidd)

6
Q

The Room - identity

A

discussion of names and identity (Rose vs.Sal) (Simey vs. Goldberg, Dermot vs. McCann)

7
Q

The Room - senses

A

senses - loss of sight (“Can’t see.I can’t see. I can’t see”) (Stanley’s glasses, blindfolded, Blackout)

8
Q

A Letter to Peter Wood

A

“Though nonconformist he is no hero nor exemplar of revolt”, “Meaning begins in words, in action, continues in your head and ends nowhere. There is no end to meaning” “shit-stained strictures of centuries of tradition”

9
Q

A View of the Party

A

1958 “Jarred Stanley in the blood / When, still, he heard his name”, “Nat Goldberg, who arrived / With a smile on every face”

10
Q

Pinter’s 1964 production

A

At the end of Act III, Goldberg, McCann and Stanley are all dressed the same

11
Q

Pinter’s political concerns

A

Humanitarian - concerned with abuse of power, theuse of language to oppress and the right to expression

12
Q

Kafka - The Trial

A

Joesph K is taken away on his birthday by two warders

13
Q

Rickson’s production, 2018, with Toby Jones as Stanley

A

Jones chooses to add an air of a tantrum filled child whose pschological development is stunted

14
Q

Initial reaction to T.B.P

A

Devasting set of overnight reviews - anger about how Pinter refused to explain himself - they demanded rational answers to clearly define questions

15
Q

Pinter and Stanley

A

Pinter was a conscientious objector “I remember being defiant at the time. No one wanted e to be a conscientious objector…I was alone…Stanley represents the spirit of defiance”

16
Q

Religion

A

Goldberg - patriarchal aspects of Jewish orthodoxy

McCann - oppressive Catholicism (Pinter had worked as an actor in Ireland in the 50s)