6:2: Andrew Viner – When I Lived in Peru Flashcards
What is the purpose?
To entertain, as it is a comedy. Perhaps to give a new look on life.
What is the audience?
Fans of Viner’s work.
Those who are retired and would use the radio.
Fans of BBC Radio 4.
Those interested in up and coming writers.
Context: Radio 4
- Geared towards older audiences.
- Typically more educated programmes.
- Neutral politically as it is the BBC and has a focus on British values
- Educated audience
- Features story programmes such as soaps
Context: Andrew Viner
- Inspired to do this because his friend gloated about living in London, while he was living in Sheffield.
- He had features published in the Guardian, which may suggest he has left wing views.
- Writes comedy books and TV as well as children books.
Studied engineering but found it too mundane, so he switched to comedy. - Has young children and values family and childish idealism.
“I guess the differences between us could be highlighted by our respective attitudes to our careers”
- “us” and “our” - inclusive pronouns. Establishes the relationship and the close nature of it in spite of their differences.
I.T. OFFICE/ F/X: TYPING, QUIET CONVERSATIONS, TELEPHONES/ F/X: DOOR KNOCK.”
- Incredibly mundane atmosphere. Immediately establishes that Martin has a very mundane livelihood and is the complete opposite of adventurous and is instead predictable.
- “OFFICE” - a small office environment, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere and idea of being trapped, just as Martin is trapped in his job and current lifestyle.
“MARTIN: You wanted to see me, Julian?/ JULIAN: (OLDER, AVUNCULAR) Ah yes, come in Martin. Have a seat.”
- “Come” and “Have” - simple imperatives establish the hierarchy. Emphasises the lack of control Martin has.
- “?” - the question mark at the end of a sentence which doesn’t really need a question mark. Reveals Martin’s obsequious nature.
- Use of first names show familiarity with each other, further emphasising how Martin craves this familiarity and routine/predictability.
- “AVUNCULAR” - in spite of being about to break bad news to Martin, Julian isn’t at all presented as the bad guy. Perhaps this shows us how this is what is best for Martin.
- Phatic language - used to establish Martin and Julian’s relationship.
“DOOR CLOSING. OFFICE NOISE NOW MUTED.”
- Metaphorical. This door of his life is closing. The office is muted just as it is about to be in his life. Foreshadowing.
- Creates a private atmosphere, bringing forward this idea of secrecy and/or personal moments. Foreshadows the redundancy.
“JULIAN: No, it’s not that. As you’re probably aware, there’s been a downturn here at FSR. Like a lot of companies, to cut costs we’re outsourcing our IT department overseas – in our case to Tanzania.”
- Use of consonance and harsh sounds - makes the speech cutting and gives this sense of foreboding that this isn’t going to go well for Martin.
“downturn”, “companies”, “cut costs”, “outsourcing”, “department”, “redundant”
- Semantic field of business. Emphasises the repetitive, predictable and mundane nature of Martin’s current position.
“MARTIN: Oh. I’m kind of settled here in London.”
- Clear misunderstanding. The foundation of comedy.
- Establishes that Martin isn’t the brightest.
“JULIAN: No, I’m afraid we’re making you redundant./ MARTIN: Redundant?”
- Martin echoes Julian. This shows his disbelief.
“MARTIN: Since I graduated.”
- “since” - use of temporal deixis to emphasise how long he has been in this role. Affirms his character as unadventurous.
“A lot of people view this kind of situation as an opportunity – to re-assess their lives, perhaps re-train to do something they really love.”
- “view” - brings up a key theme of this piece, which is perspective. It is all about perspective whether you take this as an opportunity or a punch to the gut. Martin needs to change his perspective.
- “opportunity” - positive connotations. A chance to do something new. However, this is contrasted by Martin’s character, who would disagree.
- “re” - repetition of “re” emphasises this idea of having to start over and therefore change. As we already know, this will be a problem for Martin”.
“MARTIN: But I loved my job.”
- “loved” - past tense, already giving us that sense of an end.
- Monosyllabic - emphasises the sentence and the comedic and surprising nature of it.
“you found it “dull and repetitive”, and that you felt “un-stretched and lacking any kind of a challenge”/ MARTIN: That’s what I loved.”
- Julian has direct quotations, showing that he was not only prepared but also not expecting so much protest to being made redundant, similarly to the audience.
- “lacking” - this idea of missing something. Perhaps gives us some hope for Martin’s lack of adventure.
- Martin’s response - monosyllabic and simple. Shatters an allusion that Martin is at all adventurous.
THE BROKEN UP MONOLOGUE
- A monologue is typically in one large chunk, while Martin’s is broken up between events. May be an allusion to his unfocused and even scatty nature, a perfect character for a comedy, as well as his lack of decisiveness and sense of direction.
“24. SCENE - MARTIN’S FLAT –/ F/X: CHAMPAGNE CORK POP. TWO GLASSES POURED.”
- Clear change in setting. Represents the transition from seeing Martin’s professional life and his personal life.
- “CHAMPAGNE CORK POP” - celebration, which is a juxtaposition to the prior event. This idea of contrast prefaces this idea of how - - Martin will live to separate lives, deceiving Claire into thinking he is still in work. Dramatic iron
“CLAIRE: It’s just an acting promotion while they reorganise after the redundancies. London said they’d wait for me, and because of the extra projects, I’ll get a raise as soon as I get here.”
- “Acting promotion” - literally is an “acting” promotion, as we find out that her promotion was never real.
- “redundancies” - massively ironic as she profits from Martin’s pain. Comedic.
- “they’d wait for me” - shows her skills are valued.
Voice: What is Martin’s voice?
- He has an insecure voice.
- Not only that, but he also has a very lazy and apathetic voice, clearly satisfied with the dismal life he had.
- This voice shifts to one of insecurity and uncertainty when the first change in his life for a while (he gets fired) occurs.
Voice: What is Claire’s voice?
- Her voice is fairly dismissive of herself, alluding to the fact that she is lying in the piece about the “promotion”.
- She also has a humorous voice.
Voice: What is Julian’s voice?
- He’s just so done with Marten.
- His voice is paternal and very scripted almost.
Voice: What is the writer’s voice?
- The voice is very humorous, with very little seriousness in it.
- This reflects the genre.
