7.5 Explain A Playwright's Use Of Dialogue And Stage Directions

enjoys talking with the banker

does not feel threatened by the banker

does not understand why the banker is visiting

refuses to respond to the banker’s questions

The boy realizes that the witness is unable to talk about the agreement.

The boy does not want to reveal to the banker where his parents are.

The boy lies in court in order to get the banker to tell the truth.

The boy explains that the banker said he would not collect the money owed.

the boy’s parents will be home soon

the boy is tired of playing

the witness is not reliable

the banker cannot be trusted

often forgets about agreements he has made

has an important job in the village

is still upset about the boy’s responses to his questions

has no intention of forgiving the family’s debt

BOY: My mother has gone to the market to sell fans so that she can buy oil for our lamps. Isn’t that what you would call selling the wind to buy the moon?

BOY: It’s true. He promised.

BOY: [Appearing in the doorway.] No! You don’t owe him. He promised me he would forget about the debt.

BOY: I do have a witness, Your Honor.

help the audience understand the characters’ changing relationship

inform the audience about the progress of the storm

hint at how the characters will resolve their conflict

give the characters a topic to discuss while they are waiting

realizes she is not being supportive of Reggie

thinks Dad will try to call her cell phone again

J decides she should remain inside the cabin

knows that Reggie will help her if she asks

that she feels responsible for taking care of Reggie

that she has a friendly relationship with Reggie

how she handles criticism from others

how she reacts to difficult circumstances

To foreshadow the characters’ actions later in the play

To provide background information about the relationship between the characters

To show how the setting has caused a conflict for the characters

To describe what time of day the characters arrived at the cabin

thinks the storm is unlikely to end soon

feels relieved that Erica chose to stay at the cabin

is worried that Erica will try to leave the cabin again

is more concerned about Dad than he is telling Erica

is hopeful that he and Erica can enjoy their time at the cabin

feels confident that Dad listened to the weather report

believes that indoor activities lead to boredom

is tired of bickering with Erica

misunderstands the purpose of modern technology

feels frustrated about having to spend time at the cabin

remembers the details of family trips better than her brother does

anticipates that the rain will ruin the entire trip to the cabin

To show that Asia is pleased she has a chance to cut someone’s hair

To imply that Asia is taking the task of cutting Lonnie’s hair seriously

To indicate that both Lonnie and Asia are nervous about the haircut

To reveal that Asia has more experience cutting hair than she said she did

Lonnie believes that her hair will look just like the style she wants if Asia cuts it.

Lonnie knows Asia has access to the right tools for cutting hair.

Lonnie decides that a free haircut from Asia is better than paying for a salon haircut.

Lonnie trusts that Asia’s father has taught Asia how to cut hair properly.

Asia and Lonnie look through magazines and notice a hairstyle worn by a singer they like. Lonnie wants her hair cut in that style, and Asia tells Lonnie she has watched her father cut hair. Lonnie agrees to let Asia cut her hair. While Asia is cutting hair, her brother comes in and out of the room looking for his baseball bat. Asia finishes Lonnie’s haircut, but Lonnie says it is terrible.

Lonnie sees a hairstyle she likes in a magazine and agrees to let Asia cut her hair. Lonnie worries when Asia won’t give her a mirror and Jeremiah comments on her appearance. Asia tries to improve the haircut, but Lonnie is upset when she finally gets to see it. Asia tries to make Lonnie feel better, and the girls agree to get matching haircuts together at a salon.

Lonnie wants a haircut like the one she sees in a magazine. Asia offers to cut her hair for free, and Lonnie agrees to let her. Jeremiah, Asia’s brother, makes comments about Lonnie’s hair that worry her. When Lonnie finally sees her finished haircut, she blames Asia for ruining it. She tells Asia to put on the apron so that Lonnie can cut her hair with the same style.

Asia and Lonnie are looking through magazines when they decide they like a singer’s hairstyle. Asia suggests that she can cut Lonnie’s hair to look like the style in the magazine. Asia persuades Lonnie to let her do it by saying that she has seen her father cut hair many times. After Asia finishes, the girls plan to go to the salon together to get matching haircuts.