English: Quarter 3 - Week 5: One-Act Play
English: Quarter 3 - Week 5: One-Act Play
English: Quarter 3 - Week 5: One-Act Play
English
Quarter 3 – Week 5:
One-Act Play
Topic
One-Act Play
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How do you start a one-act play?
Develop the action first, then variety of ways, for example through
compose the dialogue before you physical, verbal or psychological means.
decide anything else. Keep the plot
simple for a one act play and it should Plot Diagram
move consistently throughout
the play. Develop the characters. A. The plot diagram shows how the main
Write out a character sketch events in the play are organized
beforehand to help you flesh out your
characters and bring them to life.
into a plot. Come up with a plot diagram
What are the six elements of one
as to the presentation of the character’s
act?
thoughts, feelings and actions.
In a one act play, all elements
Climax
that are mentioned are usually
present. There is a setting, a plot, a
structure, characters, conflict, theme,
and the type of atmosphere present. In
one act plays, there is only one setting
and the plot or conflict of the story is
rather simple.
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A. READING TASK
Have you ever been tempted to pretend that you were someone else? Do you
think people will respect you more if they think you are rich? Can you judge people
by their appearance? In this short one-act play, adapted from the classic short story
by O. Henry, a young man and woman meet in a public park and instantly fall for
one another but neither of them is what they seem. Read the text below and answer
the questions that follow:
by O. Henry
CHARACTERS GIRL
YOUNG MAN WAITRESS
CHAFFEUR
TIME 1920s
[Twilight. The quiet corner of a city park. A GIRL in gray sits alone on a bench,
reading her book. A large-meshed veil hangs over her face, which nevertheless
shines through with a calm and unconscious beauty. When she turns a page,
the book slips from her hand, and a YOUNG MAN, who has been hovering
nearby, pounces upon it. He returns it to her with a gallant and hopeful air.]
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know, you’ve got to be the most stunning portrait. This veil and this hat—my maid’s,
girl I’ve ever seen. Honest. I had my eye on of course—are my only protection. They
you since yesterday. furnish me with an incog. You should have
seen the chauffeur staring when he thought
GIRL: Yesterday?
I did not see. Candidly, there are five or six
YOUNG MAN: Didn't know somebody was names that belong in the holy of holies, and
bowled over by those pretty lamps of yours, mine, by the accident of birth, is one of
did you, honeysuckle? them. I spoke to you Mr. Stackenpot
GIRL: Abandon the subject, if you please. Of YOUNG MAN: I always had the idea that
course I know. money must be a pretty good thing.
GIRL: We are drawn to that which we do YOUNG MAN: But you’ve said yourself—
not understand. they’re so cold.
YOUNG MAN: I guess that’s true. GIRL: I am sure you understand when I say
there are certain expectations of a young lady
GIRL: For my part, I have always thought in my position. It would be such a
that if I should ever love a man it would be disappointment to certain members of my
one of lowly station. One who is a worker family if I were to marry a commoner as we
and not a drone. But, doubtless, the claims like to call them. You simply cannot imagine
of caste and wealth will prove stronger than the scandal it would cause. All the magazines
my inclination. Just now I am besieged by would remark upon it. I might even be cut off
two suitors. One is Grand Duke of a from the family fortune. And yet … no calling
German principality. I think he has, or has could be too humble were the man I loved all
had, a wife, somewhere, driven mad by his that I wish him to be.
intemperance and cruelty. The other is an
English Marquis, so cold and mercenary YOUNG MAN: I work in a restaurant. [The girl
that I prefer even the diabolical nature of shrinks slightly.]
the Duke. What is it that impels me to tell
you these things, Mr. Packenwacker? GIRL: Not as a waiter? Labor is noble, but
personal attendance, you know— valets and
YOUNG MAN: Parkenstacker. —
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YOUNG MAN: An engagement?
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GIRL: Yes! been late! You’d better get yourself over
there and into uniform before he cuts you
YOUNG MAN: Some sort of ball or—
loose for good!
GIRL: Yes, yes!
GIRL: I—
YOUNG MAN: Will I see you again?
WAITRESS: Go on, now! I know you can’t
GIRL: I do not know. Perhaps—but the afford to miss a paycheck!
whim may not seize me again. I must go
GIRL: [Attempting to maintain her dignity.] You
quickly now. There is a dinner, and a box at
must have me confused with—with someone
the play—and, oh! The same old round!
else.
Perhaps you noticed an automobile at the
upper corner of the park as you came. One WAITRESS: Confused with—why, Mary Jane
with a white body. Parker, we’ve known each other for three
years! We swap shifts! Have you been
YOUNG MAN: [Knitting his brow strangely.]
drinking?! Why are you wearing that
And red running gear?
ridiculous hat?!
GIRL: Yes. I always come in that. Pierre
GIRL: [To the YOUNG MAN.] I … I’m sorry,
waits for me there. He supposes me to be
Mr. Porkenblogger—
shopping in the department store across
the square. Conceive of the bondage of the YOUNG MAN: Parkenstacker.
life wherein we must deceive even our
chauffeurs. Goodnight. GIRL: Parkenstacker.
GIRL: [Quickly.] No! I mean … no. If you WAITRESS: As in The Parkenstackers?! From
have the slightest regard for my wishes, you the society pages?!
will remain on this bench for ten minutes GIRL: The society pages?
after I have left. I do not mean to question
your intentions, but you are probably aware YOUNG MAN: If only I were so fortunate.
that autos generally bear the monogram of
their owner. Again, good-night. GIRL: You … you must excuse me. My
chauffeur is waiting.
[Suddenly a WAITRESS approaches, wearing
a soiled, dirty uniform— evidently just WAITRESS: Chauffeur?! What kind of crazy
coming off her shift. airs are you putting on? You’ve never had a
chauffeur in your life! You don’t even own an
WAITRESS: Mary-Jane! Mary-Jane Parker! automobile!
What on earth are you doing out here?
Don’t you know what time it is?! GIRL: I do so!
A. Process Questions:
1. Who met at the park? Describe how the characters reacted on their
first meeting.
2. What do you think are the intentions of the characters for not revealing
their true status in life?
3. Would you consider the situations of the characters a “white lie?” Why
or why not?
4. What does the last sentence of the story tell us about the young man?
6. If you were the author how would you end the play?
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B. Play in Process
Direction: Complete the story grammar below by writing the details about the play,
“While the Auto Waits”.
Episodes
Time? When?
Who? 1.
2.
3.
4.
Location? Where?
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C. Character Analysis
Fill out the character analysis sketch to give characterization to the characters of the
play, “While the Auto Waits”.
1
0
1.Traits
Part of the play
Characterit was revealed
Evidence
Evidence
3.
Traits
Character
Part of the play it was
revealed.
Evidence
4.
Traits
Character
Part of the play
it was revealed.
Evidence
1
1
A. Process Questions
1. The girl in gray named Mary Jane Parker and the young man, Mr. Parkenstacker met at
the quiet corner bench of the Park. The girl was offended at first on the young man for
calling her his honeysuckle. The young man was stunned to the beauty of the girl who was
reading books on the bench.
2. The girl pretended to belong to a wealthy and classy family in order to gain respect and
have suitors who are financially wealthy. The young man did not reveal that he is wealthy
in order to impress the girl and hoped that he could have a dinner with her.
3. Pretending to be someone else is never been a good idea because in the in the end the
truth will always prevail and you need to face the shame out it. Although on this one-act
play nothing really harmful or bad happened to the characters. For the part of the girl, she
was denying that she was working on the restaurant as a waitress and continuously
pretending to be someone who is wealthy, although she was already caught in the act. For
the young man he did not reveal his true identity in order to impress the girl and hoping
to get an admiration from her.
4. The young man is in despair for the revelation of the waitress about the girl he admires
and they left him standing alone and confused.
5. It is important in our lives to be true to ourselves and to other people. We don’t need to
pretend to be someone else just to impress other people in order to gain some love and
respect. People will love you the way you are on how you treat them.
6. Answers may vary depending on the resolution or ending story of the student in the
one- act play.
B. Play in Process
Characters
Setting
Episodes
Episodes may depend on how the student understands the details of the one-act
play, “While the Auto Waits”
Conflict
The conflict happened in the one-act play is a man vs. himself because the
characters are pretending to be someone else just to impress other people. When
the waitress accidentally revealed the true identity of the girl named Mary Jane
Parker that she was working as a waitress in the restaurant. The girl felt ashamed
of herself on what she did.
C. Character Analysis
A. Direction: (Modified TRUE OR FALSE). Write True if the statement is correct, if False
change the underlined word/words to make the statement correct. Write your answer
on the provided space.
B. MATCHING TYPE: Match column A to column B. Write your answer on the space provided.
A B
C. ENUMERATION
D. Direction: Draw the plot diagram of a drama and briefly explain each part. (42-50)