Drama Analysis

CHARACTERISATION: Identify the main characters in the scene and in some detail comment on the key aspects of their character that are developed or revealed in the scene. What do we learn about each character?

The main character in the first two scenes is Ruby. Ruby on both occasions has come back from a white family and the other children are intrigued on what she did there. This is performed through a patty cake game. Ruby walks slowly the first time, knowing what the kids are going to ask at the end, and aware of the abuse she received. Ruby speaks in a happy voice in all the questions, except the last where she is sad. This reveals that she tries to keep the others happy and doesn't try to make the abuse she takes a big thing. This is why the scenes are called "Unspoken Abuse", as Ruby does not want to speak about it. Another main character in the first two scenes is Jimmy. Jimmy in the "Line-Up" scenes is always trying to get picked to get temporarily adopted. In the scenes, Jimmy is interested in how it is like and doesn't understand that Ruby was getting abused. This leads Jimmy to become annoyed with Ruby for not answering the final question. The line "Oh, Ruby" though short, holds the fact that Jimmy is not only upset with Ruby, but sad that he still doesn't know what happens to her. From this we learn that Jimmy at the time is innocent and not aware of the dangers that strangers can have, possibly due to his sheltered life. In the third scene, Jimmy takes the role of the returning child. Unlike the previous two scenes, Jimmy does not reply to any of the questions and simply walks to his bed. Jimmy learns about the abuse and doesn't want to talk to anyone or pretend that the trip was fine, unlike Ruby.

2. CONFLICT: Identify and explain what you consider to be the main conflict in the scene. Who is it between? What is it over? Who is likely to come out on top?

Ruby is in conflict with herself trying to deal with the abuse with no one to talk to about it. She is also in conflict because she has to keep it a secret, even though the other children seem to have a general idea that she is being abused, and trying to find what she is going to do in life living with this secret.

3. THEMES: What are the main messages or themes being developed or reinforced in your scene?

One of the main messages in these scenes is that many people are suffering from abuse and you wouldn't know it. In both the first two scenes, Ruby acts happy towards the children and mentions fun, playful answers to their questions. Up until the last question, without