The Tin Drum - Scene 1 Flashcards
Describe scene one.
The progress of Jan and Agnes’s love.
Give names of 2 men Agnes is in love with.
Alfred and Jan.
Agnes is reminiscing over what has been lost. Why has this happened?
This is because if Alfred’s political stance - she does not agree.
Her relationship with Jan is torn and tarnished by the fact it is adulterous.
Jan and Alfred fight DSR. The location is described as sickly green, gulls circling - dark and negative.
Describe the lighting.
A green light across the stage. Haze to pick up green light - creates a haunting and foreboding atmosphere.
3 fisherman (symbol of fate - 3 witches, reoccurring theme) on balcony stage left. Backs to the audience but were lit from behind creating silhouettes and shadows on the audience as they were moving which created a sense of mystery and a sinister atmosphere. Backlit when Agnes walks up the stairs into the doors - creates silhouette as if she was very angelic and being accepted into heaven.
Discuss the costume.
The costume for Agnes, Oskar and Jan are the same.
Alfred has his Order arm band on his arm to show how he is part of ‘The Order’.
3 fisherman have black fishing coats on which hoods up - this means the light bounces off them and creates more shadows- a foreboding atmosphere.
Describe the sound.
Sounds of seagulls which changes into dissonant electronic drone sounds. The sound of wind as the doors open - choral speaking.
Describe the set/props.
Stairs are located in a straight line up to the middle part of the balcony - connotations of “stairway to heaven”.
Doors are wide open at the top of the stairs to show “welcoming” into heaven.
Give a significant prop and explain meanings.
The match box.
Agnes received these from her father saying ‘keep them dry’ - she says the same to Oskar.
Analogy of keeping fire alight - symbol of hope and the idea that the fire has to keep burning. Energy has to keep going.
Explain acting.
Very descriptive of scenery - the water is described as black, green and rotting. A fast paced, panicked narration from Agnes calling vocally over the top. Frantic gestures to head. Shoots arm out “enough” (CS) “this world is delicate”.
She hands matches to Oskar tentatively and is very loving towards him. Oskar watches from the bottom of the stairs.
Agnes walks to the light and seaside up the stairs to open doors, the wind is blowing and sounds are dissonant - an electronic sounding.
Choral song is started by Jan, a warm yellow light washes the stage and snow (reminiscent for when Jan met her).
Counterpoint melodies with characters singing lines about Agnes. Oskar, “there is a hole in my heart”. Jan, “she was my heart”. Alfred, “she was real”. A white flower was put in a vase. Loss of an innocent person. Builds to a huge climax ending in Oscar sitting on stairs (CS).
Explain the directing (proxemics, use of stage, techniques).
The scene ends with Oskar sat on the stairs at a high height (centre stage). Agnes is very close in proximity to Oskar when giving him the matches - she then leaves without interacting with anyone else.
What is the impact of this scene?
Very emotional moment for the audience. Despite all the alienation techniques the audience were very connected with character, this is because they were able to see the impact Agnes made on the characters in the story. She is a vey maternal character and therefore means that the audience would feel more emotion towards her. Audience feel a loss as she impacted the story a lot.
Turing point for Oskar. Matches act as motivation and he starts to use the drum.
