AO4

Question 1

Outside threat

Answer 1

WW2 - England in a unique position, never invaded but constantly under the threat of invasion: boarding houe represents security and safety which is then invaded by outsiders - Pinter was evacuated

Question 2

Theatre of the Absurd

Answer 2

Life was not rational and did not follow laws or logical patterns - echoed in the structure and form of the plays - term coined by Martin Esslin 1961

Question 3

The Room

Answer 3

1957 - earliest example of comedy of menace

Question 4

The Room - isolation

Answer 4

one room representing safety that is then intruded (Mr and Mrs Sands + Riley = Goldberg and McCann)

Question 5

The Room - memory

Answer 5

falliblity of memory (Mr Kidd)

Question 6

The Room - identity

Answer 6

discussion of names and identity (Rose vs.Sal) (Simey vs. Goldberg, Dermot vs. McCann)

Question 7

The Room - senses

Answer 7

senses - loss of sight (“Can’t see.I can’t see. I can’t see”) (Stanley’s glasses, blindfolded, Blackout)

Question 8

A Letter to Peter Wood

Answer 8

“Though nonconformist he is no hero nor exemplar of revolt”, “Meaning begins in words, in action, continues in your head and ends nowhere. There is no end to meaning” “shit-stained strictures of centuries of tradition”

Question 9

A View of the Party

Answer 9

1958 “Jarred Stanley in the blood / When, still, he heard his name”, “Nat Goldberg, who arrived / With a smile on every face”

Question 10

Pinter’s 1964 production

Answer 10

At the end of Act III, Goldberg, McCann and Stanley are all dressed the same

Question 11

Pinter’s political concerns

Answer 11

Humanitarian - concerned with abuse of power, theuse of language to oppress and the right to expression

Question 12

Kafka - The Trial

Answer 12

Joesph K is taken away on his birthday by two warders

Question 13

Rickson’s production, 2018, with Toby Jones as Stanley

Answer 13

Jones chooses to add an air of a tantrum filled child whose pschological development is stunted

Question 14

Initial reaction to T.B.P

Answer 14

Devasting set of overnight reviews - anger about how Pinter refused to explain himself - they demanded rational answers to clearly define questions

Question 15

Pinter and Stanley

Answer 15

Pinter was a conscientious objector “I remember being defiant at the time. No one wanted e to be a conscientious objector…I was alone…Stanley represents the spirit of defiance”

Question 16

Religion

Answer 16

Goldberg - patriarchal aspects of Jewish orthodoxy

McCann - oppressive Catholicism (Pinter had worked as an actor in Ireland in the 50s)