Language of Abigails Party Emily Huntley Essay Example for Free

Language of Abigails Party Emily Huntley EssayMike Leigh affaird to be ane of a kind, famous for creating movies through and through an unusual process that involves extensive rehearsals and improvisations with his actors a process that begins weeks before some(prenominal)one picks up a camera. In separately of his plays, he has depicted the often-uneventful lives of ordinary lot. The results are al right smarts far from conventional. And it is through his success that many directors are now using his techniques to capture the texture of everyday life.Leigh achieves this commonness in the majority through his linguistic process, although the whole play is based on naturalism, he uses this technique to capture the kernel of each cites persona. I say this technique is particularly successful, as the earshot finds it easy to relate themselves to the flush unravelling before them, and manage to put themselves in the situations of the characters.LawrenceMy head start impr ession of Lawrence was that he was an well- improve, cultured man, who was hardly a good social mixer just this is the aim of Leigh. He needed the audience to believe the reverse gear of Lawrence and then have their thoughts dashed. In a way I believe that this makes the audience spirit undefended as if theyve been deceived and they then watchk comfort in one of the other characters which seem simple and dear and then they find themselves delving into the play further.Lawrence speaks in a polite and precise manner Ah, yes-now, when would you be best(p) for you? No, no, Ill fall in with you, Mrs Cushing. (Page 2) this enforces the idea of him being a well brought up man and hopefully in his eyes achieving the idea that his guests consider him of a high social class. Leigh as well as used the language of the character Lawrence to make him persuasive and condescending, I dont only like Minis-I like lots of other cars. and I find the Mini economical, efficient and reliable. (Page 8) this is a good example of the rule of 3 a strong persuasive technique, this is how he enforces his ideas on others and appears so domineering and always seems to be right as no one has the courage to object. Generally Lawrences speech is direct and focused, he speaks when spoken to and rarely start ups a conversation, unless asking probing questions to prove his wealth and class over the other guests You have a car, do you? (Page 8).Although Lawrences vocabulary is relatively simple, he still uses this to his advantage by trying to better himself and prove his supposedly higher social status Macbeth. Part of our heritage. This also links to Lawrences frequent name dropping this is in an attempt to try and appear culturally educated, with references to Van Gogh Shakespeare Lowry etc.Lawrence also frequently uses questions in his dialect, this is to distract guests from a previous topic that may be a bit uncomfortable for him, and so that he feels as though he is re principa l(prenominal)ing control, he can choose what subject to initiate a conversation with Youve got footballers legs, though, havent you? Talking of Paris, Sue, do you like art?Another technique Leigh used in Lawrences character, are put- rectifys. This is achieved by the use of rhetorical questions. What would you know about taste? (Page 48). And also by repetition of the persons name who hes talking to. Ive seen to the drinks, give thanks you, Beverly (Page 42), in this is example it is used as a put down to remind Beverly to look around and compose herself.Throughout the play, Leigh rarely uses poetic language or imagery, with a couple of(prenominal) metaphors and no symbolism. Lawrence is a prime example of this as he is a simple dialect character.BeverlyWhen I initially read the play, I thought the whole plot pivoted around Beverly and how bad a stewardess she was. I later found this not to be true. After seeing the play I realized that Beverly is actually a very good host, th is is proved when she leaves the room, and the conversation withers. She also dominates the play, with her monologues, and comical mickey taking of Lawrence.In Abigails Party Beverly is the only character to frequently swear with no apparent acknowledgement for her guests. Oh greensward off Lawrence (Page 49). This although may be offensive to some, shows the extreme contrast between the nouveaux riches and the true affection class, such as Sue.Throughout the play Beverly uses a patronising tone, but I feel this isnt a condescending technique, but quite a being as well as honest Please dont be offended when I say this, but, youre wearing a very pretty dress, If I may say so now, you see that pink ribbon down the front? If youd chosen, Ang, a colour slightly nearer that pink, I think it would have blended to a greater extent with your skin tones (Page 10). In this example, I feel that she is trying to make Ang feel better in herself. Although this does prove how materialistic Bev is as she thinks that making yourself look better solves all problems.Beverly babbles incessantly, is garrulous, and uses a lot of personal anecdotes in her dialect. Now my bloke had told me to turn left, right? Now we come to the first give way, and the bloke in front slammed his brakes on. Now, Im way out behind him and I suppose Im going a little bit too quick with me nerves so I slam on my brakes and I went slap into the back of him. (Page 9). This is a clear example of Beverlys long and complex sentences, although she also uses curtly simple sentences Lawrence youre going to get heartburn (Page 2). Beverly is also very colloquial in the way that she speaks, and this makes it easier for the audience to familiarise themselves with her.Similarly to Lawrence, Beverly also name drops to appear culturally educated Beaujolais (Page 11) although from the quote Oh its Beaujolais. raging Wont be a sec, Ill just pop it in the fridge.(Page 11) You can tell that Bev clear has no idea about wine etc. like we originally thought.Generally speaking Beverly is the main character to initiate conversation, she keeps everyone involved and the conversation flowing. She also reiterates a lot to confirm and seek approval, federal agency and affirmation.Beverly has a few peculiarities of speech, including the adjectives Great and Fantastic. These are character phrases enable the audience to link these certain run-in to her, and expect them, I feel this makes the audience feel much at ease with Bev, or simply more irritated by her.Similarly to Lawrence, Beverly also never uses imagery, symbolism, metaphors or poetic language. But unsurprisingly for her character there are frequent sexual innuendoes Hes got a firm handshake, hasnt he? (Page 5) Tone, you cant do much(prenominal) with a bed-head, can you? (Page 7).AngelaAs a person, Ang is a simple and satisfied working class newly wed.Her sentences can be long, but this is purely due to her rambling and not knowing when t o stop. Oh, what a amiable table. This is just what we need. Its the next thing were going to get. Cos at the moment were eating off our knees. Its unusual, isnt it with the woody top and modern legs. (Page 22) Her conversation seems to be pretty pointless as she doesnt seem to have anything of any value to add to the discussion. But equivalently to Bev she also includes simple sentences to make her dialect feel more naturalistic.When comparing the characters I think it is possible to state that Ang is the some colloquial of all of them, as she is about informal, and although her grammar is a little shakey it seems to be easier for the audience to accept her on face value as she is too honest and genuine to be hiding anything.Ang uses questions to seek assurance, and also to encourage people to engage with her, as it provokes a response. Isnt she?Ang uses personal anecdotes to inform the audience of her character, although the comic element that Leigh included was how she seem s completely oblivious to her boundaries, and therefore makes herself look foolish. Tony had a bad experience in an Indian restaurant this was before I knew himHe had a nasty dose of gastro-enteritis after hed had a curry, and you see that put him off. (Page 25). This medical reference shows hoe educated she is and reflects her job as a nurse.I feel it is the fact that Ang is too blunt and open to use any form of innuendoes, or symbolism, that makes it so easy for the audience to accept her.TonyTony is a very reserved character he rarely uses full sentences, but rather one-word replies, this makes him appear constrained and unnatural which is wherefore I believe it is not so surprising when he raises his voice at Ang as the audience can see the tension building inside him. He never initiates conversation, as that would mean replies to more questions. He often uses slang, or colloquial language top ta. Leigh also included various authoritative or instructive verbs leave it stand up turn that fucking record off (Page 51), but these are only ever commanded at Ang, and explains why the audience and guests never agree with Ang when she seems to find him domineering. Tonys learning ability seems to be very dry in that he finds his own things funny, rather than sharing a world-wide joke. Tony is the only character to use silence as a defence and attack mechanism. As weve seen with Bev and Lawrence theyd rather shout at each other to resolve problems. Tony uses silence to create a tension and most often with Ang and therefore making her look stupid, in front of their company, clearly showing an imbalance in their relationship.SueIt is clear from the beginning of the play that Sue is of the highest social class in the group. Originally I though Sue was a well brought up and highly well mannered person, but when examine the play I realised the opposite. I felt that Sue is very rude and off-putting to the people around her as she has a lack of curiosity, she doesn t seem to show any interest in them and clearly doesnt want them to show any in her. She only speaks when spoken to, and never repays the question. When she does answer questions its always unexpansive, short clipt one-word answers Yes. It is clear from her dialect that she is uncomfortable and intimidated by the other characters. Her language is very unnatural and similar to that of a guide book.Her vocabulary is old fashioned, formal, and grammar school style. Darent Arent. Otherwise its quite simple and easily dumb so it doesnt require any explanations. She never uses colloquial or slang vocabulary.She rarely uses questions in her intercourse as this would initiate conversation. She keeps herself to herself and doesnt want to probe or get involved into either of the troublesome marriages in front of her.Her character phrases seem to be reliant on her politeness Yes please No thank you. It is possible to say that she is trapped by her own politeness, She doesnt have the nerve to leave the party, which she clearly doesnt want to be at.Throughout the play she remains completely unassertive right until the end when her guard drops, and she tells Bev to closed in(p) up (Page 53).Language is a key tool that all playwrights use to distinguish the differences and similarities between each of the characters. The character phrases and accents help the audience to realise the different backgrounds and diversity of the characters. Contributing to the visual aspects, lines give a sense of place and person and how the characters interact with one another.