Adapted from Scene 2, Dead End Caribbean Drama for Secondary Schools by Victor Edwards (2008) Adolphus' grandmother

r is seated in front of the house absorbing the quiet of the night. She lights her pipe and rocks in silence. She is soon joined by Donna who sits on the floor, looks around, takes a deep breath and then speaks. Donna: He must have gone to visit Marcia. Bretta: Smart boy ... (She sucks on her pipe) Leave him alone Donna. Things have a way of working themselves out. Donna: Don't you think he's been a bit edgy lately? Bretta: Your brother was always an intense child, always bothered himself about small things. It's only natural he would worry. I feel sorry for him sometimes. Donna: You know he's worried about losing Marcia most of all. Bretta: Which man wouldn't? He's like his father sometimes. (A noise in the distance attracts Donna. She sees Adolphus approaching.) Donna: Speaking of the devil ... Adolphus: (He is drunk.) Good night! Good night! Donna: You're in high spirits. Adolphus: Higher than you can imagine. Donna: Where've you been all this time? Adolphus: (Teasing her.) Been socializing with some friends. Donna: (Realizing that he is drunk) Wait a minute. Are you drunk? Adolphus: A bit. Maybe. Bretta: (Jumps up inquiringly) Dolphus? Adolphus: Grandma? You still up? Bretta: Adolphus James, what is the meaning of this? Donna: (Aside) This looks interesting.

Adolphus: Can't a man have any fun? Bretta: Adolphus, when and where this bad habit started? Donna: (Sarcastic tone) Apparently somebody got jilted. Adolphus: Mind your own business Donna. Bretta: Is that true Dolphus? Adolphus: Look, I'm sick and tired of all of you. Just leave me alone! Bretta: (In shock) My God, what has gotten into this boy's head? Adolphus: Sense, that's what. No more dummy. No more Mr. Nice Guy! Bretta: (Going across and shaking him) What's the matter with you boy? Have you gone mad? Are you possessed? Lord, Jesus! Adolphus: The whole world is possessed Grandma! Some diabolical spirit makes it connive and scheme and destroy people's lives. Better to be the destroyer than the destroyed ... Bretta: Well I won't accept you as you are tonight, and that's final. Adolphus: Why not ... because I'm not the good Christian you want? Eh? Well Grandma, I'm old enough to dictate my own destiny. Bretta: I've had enough of this! Donna: Shame on you Adolphus. You are Granny's favourite. (Donna and Bretta leave the yard. Donna shakes her head as she walks slowly.) Adolphus: (To audience) Shame: A word invented to encourage guilt feeling in man. To make him feel bad. (He hiccups twice, holds his mouth, runs off. Vomiting is heard off stage.) (Lights fade.) 1. Comment on the mood created at the beginning of the scene. (4 marks) 2. Identify TWO feelings this extract may evoke in the audience. (2 marks) 3. Explain how the playwright builds awareness in the audience of tension among the characters. (5 marks) 4. Describe the impression the playwright creates by the closing stage directions. (5 marks)

5. Explain what might be the effect of the fading lights at the close of the scene.(4 marks)

The Red Pony, 'The Promise', John Steinbeck Jody travelled often to the brushline behind the house. A rust iron pipe ran a thin stream of spring water into an old green tub. Where the water spilled over and sank into the ground there was a patch of perpetually green grass. Even when the hills were brown and baked in the summer that little patch was green. The water whined softly into the trough all year round. The place had grown to be a centre-point for Jody. When he had been punished the cool green grass and singing water soothed him. When he had been mean the biting acid of meanness left him at the brushline. When he sat in the grass and listened to the purling stream, the barriers set up in his mind by the stern day went down to ruin. On the other hand, the black cypress tree by the bunkhouse was as repulsive as the water-tub was dear; for to this tree all the pigs came, sooner or later to be slaughtered. Pig killing was fascinating, with the screaming and the blood, but it made Jody's heart beat so fast that it hurt him. After pigs were scalded in the big iron tripod kettle and their skins were scraped and white, Jody had to go to the water-tub to sit in the grass until his heart grew quiet. The water-tub and black cypress were opposites and enemies. When Billy left him and walked angrily away, Jody turned up towards the house. He thought of Nellie as he walked, and of the little colt. Then suddenly he saw that he was under the black cypress, under the very singe tree where the pigs hung. He brushed his dry-grass hair off his forehead and hurried on. It seemed to him as an unlucky thing to be thinking of his colt in the very slaughter place, especially after what Billy had said. To counteract any evil result of that bad conjunction he walked away quickly past the ranch house, through the chicken yard, through the vegetable patch, until he came at last to the brushline. He sat down in the green grass. The thrilling water sounded in his ears. The Red Pony by John Steinbeck (Penguin Books, 2000) copyright by John Steinbeck, 1933, 1937, 1938) (3 marks) Show answer 2a. Identify the literary device used in the line, 'The water whined softly into the trough all the year round.' (2 marks) Show answer 2b. Explain the effectiveness of the literary device identified above. (2 marks) Show answer 3. Give one reason why Jody was repulsed by the black cypress tree.

(3 marks) Show answer 4. Describe a quality of Jody that appeals to you. Give an explanation for your response. 5a. Describe the setting in words of your own. (3 marks) Show answer 5b i. Say why the setting appeals to you giving reasons for your response. 5b ii. Say why the setting does not appeal to you giving reasons for your response.