Language of ‘Abigail’s Party’ Emily Huntley Essay

Mike Leigh used to be maven of a kind, historied for creating movies finished an unusual process that involves extensive rehearsals and improvisations with his actors a process that begins weeks before allone picks up a camera. In each of his plays, he has depicted the often-uneventful lives of ordinary people. The results atomic number 18 always far from conventional. And it is through his success that numerous directors are now using his techniques to capture the texture of everyday life.Leigh achieves this commonness in the majority through his language, although the whole play is based on naturalism, he uses this technique to capture the essence of each roughages persona. I think this technique is particularly successful, as the audience finds it easy to relate themselves to the evening unravelling before them, and make out to put themselves in the situations of the characters.LawrenceMy first impression of Lawrence was that he was an well-educated, cultured man, who was s imply a good tender mixer but this is the aim of Leigh. He wanted the audience to believe the opposite of Lawrence and then cook their thoughts dashed. In a way I believe that this makes the audience feel vulnerable as if theyve been deceived and they then seek comfort in one of the separate characters which seem simple and honest and thereof they find themselves delving into the play further.Lawrence speaks in a polite and precise manner Ah, yes-now, when would you be best for you? No, no, Ill fall in with you, Mrs Cushing. (Page 2) this enforces the idea of him being a well brought up man and hopefully in his eyes achieving the idea that his guests consider him of a high social class. Leigh as well as used the language of the character Lawrence to make him persuasive and condescending, I dont only like Minis-I like crappers of other cars. But I find the Mini economical, efficient and reliable. (Page 8) this is a good prototype of the rule of 3 a strong persuasive technique, this is how he enforces his ideas on others and appears so domineering and always seems to be right field as no one has the courage to object. Generally Lawrences speech is direct and focused, he speaks when verbalize to and seldom initiates a chat, unless asking probing questions to prove his wealth and class over the other guests You save a car, do you? (Page 8).Although Lawrences vocabulary is relatively simple, he still uses this to his advantage by nerve-wracking to breach himself and prove his mulldly higher social status Macbeth. Part of our heritage. This excessively tie in to Lawrences frequent attend dropping this is in an attempt to try and appear culturally educated, with mentions to vanguard Gogh Shakespeare Lowry etc.Lawrence also frequently uses questions in his phrasal idiom, this is to distract guests from a previous topic that may be a bit uncomfortable for him, and so that he feels as though he is stay control, he can choose what subject to initiate a conversation with Youve got footballers legs, though, seaportt you? Talking of Paris, carry through, do you like art?Another technique Leigh used in Lawrences character, are put-d ingests. This is achieved by the use of rhetorical questions. What would you know roughly taste? (Page 48). And also by repeating of the persons name who hes talking to. Ive seen to the drinks, thank you, Beverly (Page 42), in this is example it is used as a put down to remind Beverly to port slightly and compose herself.Throughout the play, Leigh rarely uses poetic language or imagery, with few metaphors and no symbolism. Lawrence is a prime example of this as he is a simple dialect character.BeverlyWhen I initially read the play, I thought the whole plot pivoted around Beverly and how bad a hostess she was. I later found this not to be true. After see the play I realised that Beverly is actually a very good host, this is proved when she leaves the room, and the conversation withers. She also do minates the play, with her monologues, and comical mickey taking of Lawrence.In Abigails Party Beverly is the only character to frequently assure with no apparent acknowledgement for her guests. Oh sod off Lawrence (Page 49). This although may be offensive to some, shows the extreme melody between the nouveaux riches and the true middle class, such as Sue.Throughout the play Beverly uses a shop at tone, but I feel this isnt a condescending technique, but rather being in increaseition honest Please dont be offended when I say this, but, youre corroding a very pretty dress, If I may say so now, you see that pink thread down the front? If youd chosen, Ang, a colour slightly nearer that pink, I think it would make believe blended more with your skin tones (Page 10). In this example, I feel that she is trying to make Ang feel better in herself. Although this does prove how materialistic Bev is as she thinks that making yourself look better solves all problems.Beverly babbles ince ssantly, is garrulous, and uses a lot of personal anecdotes in her dialect. Now my bloke had told me to turn left, right? Now we come to the first smash way, and the bloke in front slammed his brakes on. Now, Im going behind him and I suppose Im going a forgetful bit too quick with me nerves so I slam on my brakes and I went slap into the back of him. (Page 9). This is a clear example of Beverlys long and complex sentences, although she also uses short simple sentences Lawrence youre going to get heartburn (Page 2). Beverly is also very colloquial in the way that she speaks, and this makes it easier for the audience to familiarise themselves with her.Similarly to Lawrence, Beverly also name drops to appear culturally educated Beaujolais (Page 11) although from the quote Oh its Beaujolais. Fantastic Wont be a sec, Ill just pop it in the fridge.(Page 11) You can tell that Bev clearly has no idea about wine etc. like we originally thought.Generally speaking Beverly is the main chara cter to initiate conversation, she keeps everyone touch on and the conversation flowing. She also reiterates a lot to confirm and seek approval, assurance and affirmation.Beverly has a few peculiarities of speech, including the adjectives majuscule and Fantastic. These are character phrases enable the audience to link these certain words to her, and expect them, I feel this makes the audience feel more at ease with Bev, or simply more rile by her.Similarly to Lawrence, Beverly also neer uses imagery, symbolism, metaphors or poetic language. But unsurprisingly for her character there are frequent sexual innuendoes Hes got a firm handshake, hasnt he? (Page 5) Tone, you cant do much with a bed-head, can you? (Page 7).AngelaAs a person, Ang is a simple and satisfied operative class newly wed.Her sentences can be long, but this is purely due to her rambling and not acute when to stop. Oh, what a lovely table. This is just what we need. Its the next thing were going to get. Cos at t he moment were eating off our knees. Its unusual, isnt it with the wooden top and modern legs. (Page 22) Her conversation seems to be pretty pointless as she doesnt seem to throw off anything of any value to add to the discussion. But similarly to Bev she also includes simple sentences to make her dialect feel more naturalistic.When comparing the characters I think it is possible to state that Ang is the most colloquial of all of them, as she is most informal, and although her grammar is a little shakey it seems to be easier for the audience to accept her on face value as she is too honest and original to be hiding anything.Ang uses questions to seek assurance, and also to encourage people to engage with her, as it provokes a response. Isnt she?Ang uses personal anecdotes to inform the audience of her character, although the comic element that Leigh included was how she seems entirely oblivious to her boundaries, and therefore makes herself look foolish. Tony had a bad experienc e in an Indian restaurant this was before I knew himHe had a nasty dose of gastro-enteritis after hed had a curry, and you see that put him off. (Page 25). This medical reference shows hoe educated she is and reflects her job as a nurse.I feel it is the fact that Ang is too plainspoken and open to use any form of innuendoes, or symbolism, that makes it so easy for the audience to accept her.TonyTony is a very reserved character he rarely uses full sentences, but rather one-word replies, this makes him appear laboured and unnatural which is why I believe it is not so surprising when he raises his voice at Ang as the audience can see the tension building inside him. He never initiates conversation, as that would mean replies to more questions. He often uses slang, or colloquial language top ta. Leigh also included various imperative or instructive verbs leave it stand up turn that bonk record off (Page 51), but these are only ever commanded at Ang, and explains why the audience an d guests never agree with Ang when she seems to find him domineering. Tonys humour seems to be very dry in that he finds his own things funny, rather than sharing a universal joke. Tony is the only character to use silence as a defence and attack mechanism. As weve seen with Bev and Lawrence theyd rather shout at each other to serve problems. Tony uses silence to create a tension and most often with Ang and therefore making her look stupid, in front of their company, clearly showing an imbalance in their relationship.SueIt is clear from the beginning of the play that Sue is of the highest social class in the group. Originally I though Sue was a well brought up and highly well mannered person, but when studying the play I realised the opposite. I tangle that Sue is very rude and off-putting to the people around her as she has a lack of curiosity, she doesnt seem to show any interest in them and clearly doesnt want them to show any in her. She only speaks when spoken to, and never r epays the question. When she does answer questions its always unexpansive, short clipt one-word answers Yes. It is clear from her dialect that she is uncomfortable and intimidated by the other characters. Her language is very unnatural and similar to that of a happen book.Her vocabulary is old fashioned, formal, and grammar school style. Darent Arent. Otherwise its quite simple and easily understood so it doesnt require any explanations. She never uses colloquial or slang vocabulary.She rarely uses questions in her dialogue as this would initiate conversation. She keeps herself to herself and doesnt want to probe or get mingled into either of the troublesome marriages in front of her.Her character phrases seem to be reliant on her courtesy Yes please No thank you. It is possible to say that she is trapped by her own politeness, She doesnt have the nerve to leave the party, which she clearly doesnt want to be at.Throughout the play she remains completely unassertive right until t he end when her guard drops, and she tells Bev to Shut up (Page 53).Language is a key instrumental role that all playwrights use to distinguish the differences and similarities between each of the characters. The character phrases and accents help the audience to realise the different backgrounds and diversity of the characters. Contributing to the visual aspects, lines give a sense of place and person and how the characters interact with one another.