The Man Who Couldn't Dance by Jason Katims Essay

Previous Action: Eric in this play, states that he has been previously in love with Gail, who is now married and has a kid with Fred named Elizabeth. This thought and perception introduces the reader to the play as it sets the mood on the role that each of these characters are playing. The inception of the play brings to light the relationship between Eric and Gail, and how their characters fit to play

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Previous Action: Eric talks about his love for Gail, how fond he was of her, how he regrets losing her, and how he made mistakes during their courtship days. Eric is a character with so much regret and bitterness in the play, given how he even responds to Gail, and his tonal variation throughout the play. Eric also recalls how he could not dance, yet Gail was so much into dancing and having fun. In the mentioned context, this brings us to the title of the play; The Man Who Couldn't dance.

Environment: The play takes place in the attic of Gail's house in Connecticut. Given that Gail and Eric enter the attic and finds Elizabeth (Gail's daughter) sleeping, it can be assumed that the play takes place at night. Gail's house is assumed to be huge and in a wealthy neighborhood according to the description by Eric who says that it has a garden.

Socio-Political: Eric is seemingly a character from a poor, or rather, a low-class background, as he describes his upbringing as being that of endless struggles to make ends meet. This is evident in the fact that he adores Gail's house and not shying away from mentioning that in visiting Gail's house, he is visiting a life that he could have had. He cannot bring himself to the reality that Gail's house has a garden, this seems foreign to him.

Socio-Political: Erick's upbringing has been that of isolation, and he subscribes to the belief that he has to live by the book that brings good to humanity. This shows that Eric has a strong self-conscious. Eric is also brought up in a childhood that did not allow him to do things that are not righteous and in conformity to religious beliefs and practices. Gail on the other hand seems to have all in life, she is living in a huge house in a wealthy neighborhood. Given how Eric is describing himself, it can also be concluded that Gail has college degree and is enrolled in a decent job. These two characters are from worlds apart in terms of exposure, upbringing, and background.

Two Eclairs by Joe Pintuaro

Previous Action: Mark talks of his construction work in the house, where he is depicted as a left at home dad. Maud talks to him and praises him for being such a great artist. This brings the reader to the view that Mark stays at home doing his artworks all day. He seems depressed given that he talks of his work not coming out as he would hope for it to be.

Previous Action: Mark seems depressed that he cannot raise enough money to cater for the bills of the house, and that his wife Maud is mandated with the task of working extra to cater for the bills. This shows the reader that Mark has been jobless for a while and that he has been on the verge of trying to make and sell his art to make ends meet.

Environment: The paly seems to take place in the house of Mark and Maud who live in a one bedroomed house as Maud describes it in her story of chasing her sister out. This brings the readers to the perspective of a squeezed homestead of a couple that is just starting out life, as there is no mention of a child. The play seems to take place in the early hours of the evening approximately 5pm or 6pm, since Maud enters home from work and finds his husband having done a substantial amount of work on his construction of the foils.

Socio-Political: Mark seems to be struggling with life as he comes out as a depressed character who loathes in his misfortunes of him not moving forward with his project. On the other hand, Maud comes out as a strong character who is supportive of her husband and family given that she had agreed to accommodate her sister who was looking for temporary shelter. Both Mark and Elizabeth are struggling in their lives.

Socio-Political: Mark puts himself in a confounded and compromising situation as his feelings gets the better of him to the point that he admits having had sexual intercourse with his wife's younger sister Elizabeth. This is a display of an unappreciative character who is idol and falls into the cheating bed while his wife is struggling to keep them afloat.

Erick

What is the character's career or occupation?

Erick works in a farm in Benson Hurst, where he picks vegetables and is paid only four dollars an hour. Erick does not shy away from mentioning that he does not have a basic college degree which is hindering him from getting a formal job. Erick also says that his values and beliefs does not allow him to work for someone "who does not produce something with some kind of goodness," which confines him to only a job that can provide not more than four dollars an hour.

What is the character's level of education?

Eric seems to have studied up to the high school level of education as he blatantly admits that he does not bear any college degree while he wallows in his life's misfortunes of being unable to progress in his life.

What is the character's religious beliefs?

Eric is a staunch Christian, with immense belief and practices that conform to the Christianity teachings. It would be safe to conclude that Eric is a staunch believer in God and his teachings, and that he lives by the book (The Bible).

What is the character's age and gender?

Eric is middle aged male of 37 years. This is captured in his own words in the play as he whimpers to Gail of his lagging in life as other people progress, in comparing his life to that of Gail and Fred.

What is the character's family relationship?

Eric seems like a loner in his elaboration of how his upbringing has been, and how antisocial he his. He clearly does not mention anything to do with his parents or siblings in the play. I assume that Eric had strict parents given that he mentions that he has been brought up with strict beliefs, values, and practices.