Language of ‘Abigail’s Party’ Emily Huntley Essay

mike Leigh used to be one and only(a) of a kind, famous for creating movies through with(predicate) an singular process that involves extensive rehearsals and improvisations with his actors a process that begins weeks before anyone picks up a camera. In each of his adopts, he has depicted the often-uneventful lives of ordinary people. The results are ceaselessly far from conventional. And it is through his success that many directors are now using his techniques to stimulate the texture of e rattlingday life.Leigh achieves this commonness in the majority through his language, although the whole play is based on naturalism, he uses this technique to capture the essence of each graphic symbols persona. I think this technique is particularly successful, as the audience finds it easy to relate themselves to the evening unravelling before them, and manage to grade themselves in the situations of the characters.LawrenceMy first impression of Lawrence was that he was an well-educ ated, cultured man, who was simply a good social mixer save this is the aim of Leigh. He precious the audience to believe the opposite of Lawrence and then reserve their thoughts dashed. In a way I believe that this straighten outs the audience observe compromising as if theyve been deceived and they then seek comfort in one of the some other characters which expect candid and honest and 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 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 withal used the language of the character Lawrence to make him persuasive and condescending, I dont moreover wish well Minis-I like lots of other cars. still I find the Mini economical, good and reliable. (Page 8) this is a go od example of the rule of 3 a sound persuasive technique, this is how he enforces his ideas on others and show ups so domineering and always seems to be redress as no one has the courage to object. for the just about part Lawrences speech is direct and focused, he speaks when spoken to and seldom initiates a conversation, unless communicate probing questions to prove his wealth and class over the other guests You score a car, do you? (Page 8).Although Lawrences vocabulary is relatively simple, he button up uses this to his advantage by exhausting to better himself and prove his supposedly high social status Macbeth. Part of our heritage. This overly assorts to Lawrences frequent name dropping this is in an attempt to try and appear culturally educated, with extensions to Van Gogh Shakespeare Lowry etc.Lawrence also frequently uses questions in his mother tongue, this is to distract guests from a previous topic that may be a bit uncomfortable for him, and so that he fin gers as though he is remaining 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?A nonher technique Leigh used in Lawrences character, are put-d avers. This is achieved by the use of rhetorical questions. What would you know about try on? (Page 48). And also by repetition of the persons name who hes public lecture to. Ive seen to the drinks, thank you, Beverly (Page 42), in this is example it is used as a put down to remind Beverly to discover around and compose herself. end-to-end 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 of land pivoted around Beverly and how bad a hostess she was. I later install this not to be true. After seeing the play I effected that Beverly is actually a very good host, this is proved when she leaves the room, and the conversation withers. She also dominates the play, with her monologues, and comical mic fundamental taking of Lawrence.In Abigails Party Beverly is the only character to frequently swear with no apparent acknowledgement for her guests. Oh sodomite off Lawrence (Page 49). This although may be offensive to some, shows the extreme contrast among the nouveaux riches and the true middle class, such as Sue.Throughout the play Beverly uses a patronising tone, but I recover this isnt a condescending technique, but sooner being in any case honest enchant dont be offended when I maintain this, but, youre wearing a very pretty dress, If I may say so now, you see that pink ribbon down the previous? If youd chosen, Ang, a colour slightly nearer that pink, I think it would have blended more 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 personalised anecdotes in her dialect. Now my bloke had told me to turn left, right? Now we diminish to the first give way, and the bloke in front slammed his brakes on. Now, Im going behind him and I suppose Im going a little bit too quick with me nerves so I slam on my brakes and I went savour into the back of him. (Page 9). This is a clear example of Beverlys long and intricate sentences, although she also uses short simple sentences Lawrence youre going to get pyrosis (Page 2). Beverly is also very informal in the way that she speaks, and this makes it easier for the audience to affirm themselves with her.Similarly to Lawrence, Beverly also name drops to appear culturally educated Beaujolais (Page 11) although from the plagiarize Oh its Beaujolais. Fantastic Wont be a sec, Ill just pop it in the fridge.(Page 11) You can tell that Bev clearly 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, assurance 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 words to her, and expect them, I feel this makes the audience feel more at ease with Bev, or simply more miffed by her.Similarly to Lawrence, Beverly also neer 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 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 a nd not knowing when to stop. Oh, what a good-natured 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 wooden top and modern legs. (Page 22) Her conversation seems to be pretty excess as she doesnt seem to have anything of any value to confer to the discussion. But similarly 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 most colloquial of all of them, as she is most in stockal, 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 pull ahead 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 seems 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 afterward 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 preferably one-word replies, this makes him appear constrained and unnatural which is why 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 controlling or instruc tive verbs leave it stand up turn that make out 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 gratify seems to be very dry in that he finds his own things funny, kinda than sharing a universal joke. Tony is the only character to use lull 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 give rise 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 studying the play I realised the opposite. I felt that Sue is very rude and displeasing to the people around her as she has a lack of curiosity, she doesnt seem to show any interest in them and clearly doesnt lack them to show any in her. She only speaks when spoken to, and never repays the question. When she does response questions its always unexpansive, short clipt one-word answers Yes. It is clear from her dialect that she is uncomfortable and intimidate 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. other than its quite simple and easily understood so it doesnt require any explanations. She never uses colloquial or slang vocabulary.She rarely uses questions in her dialogue as this would initiate conversation. She keeps herself to herself and doesnt ask to test or get involved into either of the troublesome marriages in front of her.Her character phrases seem to be reliant on her politeness Yes revel 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 Shut 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 ocular aspects, lines give a sense of place and person and how the characters interact with one another.