Athena Johns Character Analysis
Athena Johns
Characterization
Who is your least favorite character? Why? If you could pick a celebrity that best personifies this character, who would it be? Why? Give examples from the play. My least favorite character is Regina Giddens. She was only about herself and how much she would be getting. "...It took me a little while to find out I had made a mistake. As for you - I don't know. It was almost as if I couldn't stand the kind of man you were..."(Hellman 65). She even sat there and let him die in front of her. Regina was just an awful selfish person and I can't stand people like that. If I had to compare her to a celebrity I would have to use all the greedy celebrities in the world. To me, the best example is a celebrity named Kris Wu. He is a former member of a Kpop group called EXO. Kris left and sued his entertainment company …show more content…
because he felt like he was not making enough (even though the group had just debuted the year before.) Once he broke his contract he started to promote in China for the money he thought he deserved. He did not even tell his own band member he was leaving; that was the worst part. I see many similarities between Kris Wu and Regna Giddens.
The character's Regina Giddens is often considered the Protagonist and Antagonist of the play. Do you agree? Why? If you do not agree, who are the Protagonist and the Antagonist?
To me, Regina is considered the Antagonist because of her wrong doings toward Horace. The Protagonist could be Horace since it seems like everyone is just coming at him for his money. One of Regina's greatest wrongdoings towards Horace was letting him die while saying she was lucky for it. "This isn't what I wanted but it was something. I never thought about it much, but if I had I'd have known that you would die before I would... I'm lucky Horace. I've always been lucky."(Hellman 66). That alone can make her the Antagonist of the play.
At first glance, it looks like Birdie and Alexandra are the Protagonists of the play. As you keep reading the play Horace appears and makes you rethink who truly is the protagonist. You see him as a smart dying man who was only dragged into this mess because of his greedy wife. To me, that makes Horace the Protagonist of the play "The Little Foxes".
Technical Theater
Imagine you are the playwright of the little foxes provide an alternate ending to the story.
Horace Stretches his arm out and rolls his wheelchair forward to grab his medicine bottle. He drinks a spoonful and begins to speak,” You are an awful woman. Trying to make me die so early just for your greedy desires." Regina,” Truly you are the awful one. Don't I deserve my own happiness and the things I want for once in my life." Regina gets up and walks towards the stairs. " I hope you die in your sleep you pathetic man." Horace,” Addie please come here." Addie," Yes Mr. Horace, do you need a glass of water." Horace, “No no, but I do have a favor to ask of you. Pack up you and Zan's things and take the money I told you about. Please leave tonight." Addie," But why sir." Horace," Please do this Addie, I do not believe I will be making it through the night and I do not want my wife finding that money."
Imagine you are a set designer for this play. Find graphics that symbolize what you would try to achieve for the setting of the play. Be sure to read the stage directions. You may use up to five graphics for your design. Provide a rationale explanation. piano. I would use a black piano as a prop. Black pianos look luxurious. That look would match the expensive feel of the room. It shows Regina's taste for expensive things. With that in mind, it would go great with the atmosphere of the play.
Wood Table and chairs with a quilted fabric pattern
Often in the 1900s, you would see this type of furniture in parlors. Adding this would help the audience visualize the type period that this play is in. The chairs are also often found in the upper-class homes. So adding them would show the expensive taste of Regina.
Imagine you are the lighting designer for this play. Chose a color pallet you would use in your design. Attach a picture of each color to your answer, give a rationale explanation.
Soft White
I would use a soft white light whenever Birdie spoke. Birdie has an aura of innocents around her. Using the white would add to that aura. Not only would the audience feel her innocents they would feel it too. This would make them developing sympathy for her situation in the play.
Crimson and Black
I would use crimson for when Regina, Ben, and Oscar start to plan things. I would also use it in the beginning of the play when they talk to William Marshal. It gives that feeling that they are the bad guys of the play. This would be very useful in Act 3 when Horace dies and Regina just sits and watches. Once he dies I would use the black.
Historical Context
What were some differences in wage and labor conditions between the North and the South at the turn of the century, and what led workers to form labor unions? Blacks South got paid less many than people who worked in the North. In the South, Blacks were still seen as slaves and not normal working people. Working conditions were about the same in the North and South. Though it could be a little harsh seeing that the whites in the south still looked at blacks as slaves. Things didn't get better until laws got put in place; even then it was still difficult. Labor Unions began to form because workers wanted better wages. They also wanted better working conditions. Workers wanted things that they were not able to get unless they organized and worked together to get it. So, labor unions were formed to "fight" against employers who wouldn't meet demands.
What were some of the factors that kept blacks like Addie and Cal subservient and essentially powerless positions 25 years after the Emancipation?
The blacks had no way to organize. They were considered a minority so they still had no voice in the white dominated south. They never learned how to do anything else so they had no way to find other jobs. It could have also been the racism from those around them. During this time in history, blacks were not educated.
Since they didn't go to school and learn basic things they could not get better jobs. Most could not read or write so it was difficult to even look for jobs. Having no money in the first place was also a problem. The whites dominated politics so blacks could not vote to make their lives better.
Investigate the Northern interest in the industrialization of the South. Is William Marshall a "Carpetbagger"? Explain your answer. People of the North had many reasons for being interested in the industrialization of the South. There was a whole new group of people able to work. You could pay them much less than the people in the North. This meant more money for themselves. There was also a lot more land to build factories on. Depending on how you look at it Marshall could and couldn't be a carpetbagger. He did not move to the South; instead, he worked with people who already lived there. At the same time, he moved his business there so that could make him a carpetbagger. So him being one depends on your opinion on the definition of a carpetbagger.
Freytag
Exposition
The exposition is the opening of a play. In the beginning of the play, we see everyone entering the living room. We learn all the names and the setting of the play. You find out that the Hubbard boys have made a contract with a man named William Marshall.
You begin to see the kind of relationship everyone in the family has with each other. You see how harsh and strict Oscar can be towards Birdie. Also, how Regina likes money and attention. And then, how Ben can be suspicious and strict. The exposition gives important details about characters, relationships, and the setting of a play.
Inciting Incident
The inciting incident in a play is an event that starts the conflict of a play. The inciting incident in the play "The Little Foxes" is when the Hubbard boys make a contract with William Marshall. "So I give you the firm of Marshall and the Hubbard’s"(Hellman 14). The contract starts a new conflict between everyone in the family. The inciting incident in the play sets up the battleground for the Hubbard’s. It is the reason why Horace did not get to fully recover. It's the foundation of the play. At the same time, it is easy to label as unimportant.
Climax
The climax of a play is when you come to the height of the conflict in the play. The climax in this play is when Horace dies. "On the fourth step he slips, gasps, grasps the rail, makes a great effort to reach the landing"(Hellman 66). When Horace finds out about the bonds could be considered the climax. "Before you do I want to tell you that after all, we have invested our money in Hubbard, sons, and Marshall Cotton Manufacturers" (Hellman 63).
It could depend on what you think the conflict of the play is. Does it have to do with the money? Or is it a family matter? Maybe both. The climax is when you reach the height of the action in the play.
Themes and Motifs
One of the themes explored in this play is Greed. Greed is really the main them of “The Little Foxes”. You see this mainly through Ben, Regina, Oscar, and Leo. All of their greed leads them to do bad things in the Play. Ben, Oscar, and Leo steal Horace’s bonds out of his safe box. “A loan for three months, maybe four, easy enough for us to pay it back then. Anyway this is only April—and if he doesn’t look at them till fall, he wouldn’t even miss them out the box”(Hellman 34).
Regina’s greed also leads her to do awful things. It was greed and selfishness that lead her to marry Horace. And now it is what made him come home from treatment early. Worst of all it is what made Horace die. The theme of greed in this play is explored through the relationships of the Hubbard family and their own wants in life.
Characterization
Who is your least favorite character? Why? If you could pick a celebrity that best personifies this character, who would it be? Why? Give examples from the play. My least favorite character is Regina Giddens. She was only about herself and how much she would be getting. "...It took me a little while to find out I had made a mistake. As for you - I don't know. It was almost as if I couldn't stand the kind of man you were..."(Hellman 65). She even sat there and let him die in front of her. Regina was just an awful selfish person and I can't stand people like that. If I had to compare her to a celebrity I would have to use all the greedy celebrities in the world. To me, the best example is a celebrity named Kris Wu. He is a former member of a Kpop group called EXO. Kris left and sued his entertainment company …show more content…
because he felt like he was not making enough (even though the group had just debuted the year before.) Once he broke his contract he started to promote in China for the money he thought he deserved. He did not even tell his own band member he was leaving; that was the worst part. I see many similarities between Kris Wu and Regna Giddens.
The character's Regina Giddens is often considered the Protagonist and Antagonist of the play. Do you agree? Why? If you do not agree, who are the Protagonist and the Antagonist?
To me, Regina is considered the Antagonist because of her wrong doings toward Horace. The Protagonist could be Horace since it seems like everyone is just coming at him for his money. One of Regina's greatest wrongdoings towards Horace was letting him die while saying she was lucky for it. "This isn't what I wanted but it was something. I never thought about it much, but if I had I'd have known that you would die before I would... I'm lucky Horace. I've always been lucky."(Hellman 66). That alone can make her the Antagonist of the play.
At first glance, it looks like Birdie and Alexandra are the Protagonists of the play. As you keep reading the play Horace appears and makes you rethink who truly is the protagonist. You see him as a smart dying man who was only dragged into this mess because of his greedy wife. To me, that makes Horace the Protagonist of the play "The Little Foxes".
Technical Theater
Imagine you are the playwright of the little foxes provide an alternate ending to the story.
Horace Stretches his arm out and rolls his wheelchair forward to grab his medicine bottle. He drinks a spoonful and begins to speak,” You are an awful woman. Trying to make me die so early just for your greedy desires." Regina,” Truly you are the awful one. Don't I deserve my own happiness and the things I want for once in my life." Regina gets up and walks towards the stairs. " I hope you die in your sleep you pathetic man." Horace,” Addie please come here." Addie," Yes Mr. Horace, do you need a glass of water." Horace, “No no, but I do have a favor to ask of you. Pack up you and Zan's things and take the money I told you about. Please leave tonight." Addie," But why sir." Horace," Please do this Addie, I do not believe I will be making it through the night and I do not want my wife finding that money."
Imagine you are a set designer for this play. Find graphics that symbolize what you would try to achieve for the setting of the play. Be sure to read the stage directions. You may use up to five graphics for your design. Provide a rationale explanation. piano. I would use a black piano as a prop. Black pianos look luxurious. That look would match the expensive feel of the room. It shows Regina's taste for expensive things. With that in mind, it would go great with the atmosphere of the play.
Wood Table and chairs with a quilted fabric pattern
Often in the 1900s, you would see this type of furniture in parlors. Adding this would help the audience visualize the type period that this play is in. The chairs are also often found in the upper-class homes. So adding them would show the expensive taste of Regina.
Imagine you are the lighting designer for this play. Chose a color pallet you would use in your design. Attach a picture of each color to your answer, give a rationale explanation.
Soft White
I would use a soft white light whenever Birdie spoke. Birdie has an aura of innocents around her. Using the white would add to that aura. Not only would the audience feel her innocents they would feel it too. This would make them developing sympathy for her situation in the play.
Crimson and Black
I would use crimson for when Regina, Ben, and Oscar start to plan things. I would also use it in the beginning of the play when they talk to William Marshal. It gives that feeling that they are the bad guys of the play. This would be very useful in Act 3 when Horace dies and Regina just sits and watches. Once he dies I would use the black.
Historical Context
What were some differences in wage and labor conditions between the North and the South at the turn of the century, and what led workers to form labor unions? Blacks South got paid less many than people who worked in the North. In the South, Blacks were still seen as slaves and not normal working people. Working conditions were about the same in the North and South. Though it could be a little harsh seeing that the whites in the south still looked at blacks as slaves. Things didn't get better until laws got put in place; even then it was still difficult. Labor Unions began to form because workers wanted better wages. They also wanted better working conditions. Workers wanted things that they were not able to get unless they organized and worked together to get it. So, labor unions were formed to "fight" against employers who wouldn't meet demands.
What were some of the factors that kept blacks like Addie and Cal subservient and essentially powerless positions 25 years after the Emancipation?
The blacks had no way to organize. They were considered a minority so they still had no voice in the white dominated south. They never learned how to do anything else so they had no way to find other jobs. It could have also been the racism from those around them. During this time in history, blacks were not educated.
Since they didn't go to school and learn basic things they could not get better jobs. Most could not read or write so it was difficult to even look for jobs. Having no money in the first place was also a problem. The whites dominated politics so blacks could not vote to make their lives better.
Investigate the Northern interest in the industrialization of the South. Is William Marshall a "Carpetbagger"? Explain your answer. People of the North had many reasons for being interested in the industrialization of the South. There was a whole new group of people able to work. You could pay them much less than the people in the North. This meant more money for themselves. There was also a lot more land to build factories on. Depending on how you look at it Marshall could and couldn't be a carpetbagger. He did not move to the South; instead, he worked with people who already lived there. At the same time, he moved his business there so that could make him a carpetbagger. So him being one depends on your opinion on the definition of a carpetbagger.
Freytag
Exposition
The exposition is the opening of a play. In the beginning of the play, we see everyone entering the living room. We learn all the names and the setting of the play. You find out that the Hubbard boys have made a contract with a man named William Marshall.
You begin to see the kind of relationship everyone in the family has with each other. You see how harsh and strict Oscar can be towards Birdie. Also, how Regina likes money and attention. And then, how Ben can be suspicious and strict. The exposition gives important details about characters, relationships, and the setting of a play.
Inciting Incident
The inciting incident in a play is an event that starts the conflict of a play. The inciting incident in the play "The Little Foxes" is when the Hubbard boys make a contract with William Marshall. "So I give you the firm of Marshall and the Hubbard’s"(Hellman 14). The contract starts a new conflict between everyone in the family. The inciting incident in the play sets up the battleground for the Hubbard’s. It is the reason why Horace did not get to fully recover. It's the foundation of the play. At the same time, it is easy to label as unimportant.
Climax
The climax of a play is when you come to the height of the conflict in the play. The climax in this play is when Horace dies. "On the fourth step he slips, gasps, grasps the rail, makes a great effort to reach the landing"(Hellman 66). When Horace finds out about the bonds could be considered the climax. "Before you do I want to tell you that after all, we have invested our money in Hubbard, sons, and Marshall Cotton Manufacturers" (Hellman 63).
It could depend on what you think the conflict of the play is. Does it have to do with the money? Or is it a family matter? Maybe both. The climax is when you reach the height of the action in the play.
Themes and Motifs
One of the themes explored in this play is Greed. Greed is really the main them of “The Little Foxes”. You see this mainly through Ben, Regina, Oscar, and Leo. All of their greed leads them to do bad things in the Play. Ben, Oscar, and Leo steal Horace’s bonds out of his safe box. “A loan for three months, maybe four, easy enough for us to pay it back then. Anyway this is only April—and if he doesn’t look at them till fall, he wouldn’t even miss them out the box”(Hellman 34).
Regina’s greed also leads her to do awful things. It was greed and selfishness that lead her to marry Horace. And now it is what made him come home from treatment early. Worst of all it is what made Horace die. The theme of greed in this play is explored through the relationships of the Hubbard family and their own wants in life.