structure form and language

• What is the timescale of the play?

  The action takes place over a few weeks.
• How does the structure of the play affect its pacing?

  The play is structured in four acts performed in approximately 90 minutes, creating a fast-paced series of actions.
• What does the repetitive structure of the settings suggest about the characters' situation?

  It suggests events occur cyclically, without possibility of change.
• What are the four settings that the first three acts cycle through?

  • Jan and Mark in a street
  • Leah and Phil in a field
  • The group in a wood
  • Leah and Phil in a field
• How does the final act differ from the previous acts in terms of scenes?

  The final act has only two scenes, contrasting with the group scenes in the earlier acts.
• What does the removal of group scenes in the final act suggest about the characters' relationships?

  It presents the fractured state of the group and questions the solidity of their bonds.
• What does Leah's relationship with Phil signify at the end of the play?

  It signifies a breakdown, as she is replaced by Richard and Phil is silent and not eating.
• What does Richard's speech at the end of the play imply about human behavior?

  It implies that people are perhaps much the same as one another, prompting audience reflection.
• What is the significance of the final stage directions in the play?

  They instruct silence, suggesting language has become useless and cannot undo the damage done.
• What are the key quotations to learn from the play?

  • LEAH: "We're in trouble now, Phil. Don't know how this'll pan out. Trouble now." (1.4)
  • MARK: "He's not going."
  • JAN: "What do you mean he's not going?" (2.1)
  • "No answer. They sit in silence. End." (4.2)
• How do Mark and Jan's duologues contribute to the play's narrative structure?

  They open each act in media res, creating an impression that action is occurring offstage and time has moved forward.
• What effect do Mark's short utterances have on the audience's understanding of the plot?

  They create an enigma, causing the audience to question who they are referring to and what has happened.
• How does the pacing of the play affect the characters' experiences?

  It makes the events feel as though they are moving too fast for the characters to control.
• How does Kelly use ambiguity in the play?

  Kelly leaves much unsaid, forcing the audience to interpret characters' motivations.
• What does Phil's lack of speech suggest about his character?

  It raises questions about whether he is indifferent, calculating, or emotionally repressed.
• What does Leah's metaphor about killing the guinea pig symbolize?

  It reflects broader themes of power, guilt, and survival.
• What are the key features of Leah's monologues in the play?

  • Reveal her inner turmoil and search for meaning
  • Address moral questions about human life, guilt, and responsibility
• How do Phil's and Leah's speech styles contrast?

  Phil's laconic speech reflects his cold personality, while Leah's verbose monologues show her emotional depth.
• What does John Tate's repetition of "I'm not saying it again" indicate?

  It shows his insecurity as a leader.
• What does Leah's repetition of "Phil? Phil?" highlight?

  It emphasizes her need for connection and Phil's emotional distance.
• How does colloquial language function in the play?

  • Establishes youth and inexperience of characters
  • Contrasts with the gravity of their actions, highlighting moral immaturity
• What is the significance of naturalistic dialogue in the play?

  • Mimics natural teenage conversation
  • Makes characters relatable while highlighting their immaturity
• How do pauses and silences contribute to the play's tension?

  They suggest unspoken emotions, such as Leah's frustration and Phil's detachment.
• What is the form of the play "DNA"?

  • A contemporary drama designed for performance
  • Dialogue-driven style creates immediacy
  • Lack of detailed stage directions allows creative freedom
• What does minimalistic staging symbolize in the play?

  • Focuses attention on characters' dialogue and actions
  • Represents the stark, isolating nature of their situation