TERMINOLOGY AND CONTEXT

• Desensitised

  make (someone) less likely to feel shock or distress at scenes of cruelty or suffering by overexposure to such images.
• Immoral

  Not conforming to accepted standards of morality.
• Morally complex

  describes situations, characters, or actions where ethical considerations are not clear-cut, involving conflicting values and potentially leading to difficult choices with no easy answers. 
• Compassion

  sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
• Cycle of violence

  On going and repetitive nature towards being cruel and constant violent bullying
• Redemption

  an act of atoning for guilt, a fault, or a mistake, or the state of having atoned
• Peer pressure


  feeling like you have to do something because people around you want you to or expect you to
• Empathy

  the ability to understand and share another person's feelings and thoughts.
• Microcosm

  a small place, society, or situation that is representative of a larger one, often used to illustrate a larger concept or system in a smaller, more manageable way
• ~CONTEXT~

  DYSTOPIA

  An imperfect place where everything is the wrong way around. Created toe scape reality and live out fantasies we can't typically do.
• Dystopia in DNA

  Teenagers are in charge and they are able to get away with murder and frame an innocent person for their wrongdoings; due to the lack of rules.

  Kelly creates this dystopia to show teenagers the possibility of what they can and can't do.
• ~CONTEXT~

  CONVENTIONS OF TRAGEDY

  Tragedy always ends in death. Fates change and characters change their roles as the play progresses.-> Fatal flaw
• Conventions of tragedy in DNA

  Phil's avarice nature creates an immoral and plan and ultimately results on his own downfall and the groups.
• ~CONTEXT~

  HISTORY OF TEENAGE FICTION

  Groups of isolated teenagers- they have to learn on how to survive. (Typically you have to kill in order to survive).
• History of teenage fiction in DNA

  Lack of intervention from adults thus they make their own decisions. They chose to kill in order to survive (Adam's death).

  They were able to get away with the murders as society failed to provide moral guidance to teenagers and intervene therefore lead them to the path of immorality.
• ~CONTEXT~

  TEENAGERS AND INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

  Portrayed as anti-social, violent and carry out illegal activities such as underaged drinking, smoking and teenage pregnancies.

  Considering that this is the next generation of humanity, people and society are very worried about them.
• Teenagers and influence of social media in DNA

  Most characters in DNA fit this stereotype- aggressive, excessive use of violence etc.

  Leah fits the idea of being worried about her future and the peer pressure on her by those higher up the hierarchy.
• KEY IDEAS (AO1/AO2)- WRITERS PURPOSE

  The play is about growing up and learning to change within modern society. We have the ability to change the roles we are given (not in our DNA to act immoral)
• Modern society is desensitised to violence and seeks fame too quickly.
• Society lacks empathy and is too focused on social hierarchy .

  People are willing to let themselves be manipulated by leadership.
• Society offers the chance for redemption even if we are not currently taking it.
• Society prioritises the needs of many over the needs of the individual (collectivism)- Kelly thinks this is wrong
• Modern life and being a teenager is about learning your own identity even though this may be difficult.