Monologue Analysis: Character, Structure, And Progression

Script Analysis: Character, Structure, and Progressions

The play Better Living by George F. Walker is not a piece where the audience will understand every detail the first time. After many re-reads of the play, there are two main pieces of importance in both character, structure, and progressions. Through character analysis was the discovery that each character is complex - or changes either physically, mentally, or emotionally. However, the changes the characters develop are often negative. The other discovery was that every character seems to be searching for themselves. How they execute it unfortunately sends them further away from their original goal. What was found through analysis of progressions and structure was that first, the play

But on their individual journeys they lose even more aspects of who they originally were. In general, the three sisters end up searching for themselves by coming home as discussed above, however only dig themselves in a deeper hole. The search distinctly shows through Tom - the family's father, Jack - Nora’s Brother, and Junior - Gail’s boyfriend. To start, it is obvious Tom is trying to cover up the vicious past that he left on his family. But on the other hand he creates a jail-like home for his family only making his reputation worse. He also has a point where he almost cracks when he says, “I can kill. With my bare hands. I can rip flesh. I can take a knife and cut throats, or put it in bellies.” (Walker 61). The short monologue gives his family yet another glimpse of his vicious past, losing hope for him to change for the better. Jack, the daughters Uncle, also shows aspects of trying to change but fails. He also loses his temper when he holds up a gun to Tom’s head while confronting him. Jack starts off in the play as a happy-go-lucky guy who is a laid back priest, but ends up letting his past take over his mental stability. Lastly is Junior, Gail’s boyfriend who starts the play off as an edgy rockstar wannabe who is trying to walk away from his parents bad decisions that rub off on him. So when Junior seems to have found his place in the family’s home, in reality he lost the individual he was, that could also lead to a neurotic