| “What Pinter did was to show that
the dramatist is someone who can present exciting evidence and
then leave it to the audience to deduce what that evidence actually
means. Secondly, I think, Pinter did revolutionise speech in
British theatre prose.” Michael Billington
- Pinter at the BBC www.bbc.co.uk/pinter |
The play takes place in one room, concentrating the audience’s
mind on the themes of the play and intensifying the mood Pinter
has created. It also reflects the characters, restricted lives.
On a basic level the clutter in the room mirrors the confusion
of Aston’s mind. The room belongs to Mick, but reflects Aston’s
need for a safe haven. Davies also wants a sanctuary. The incongruous
nature of the items stored in the room demonstrates the chaotic
nature of the characters lives.
Pinter uses the room to illustrate the characters’ needs
for warmth and security and the lengths an outsider will go to secure
that warmth and security.
The small number of actors and apparent simplicity of the plot
hides the skill behind the structure. Each of the three acts builds
to a climax which focuses the audiences’ attention on one
of the characters. At the end of Act one; Mick displays violence.
Act II ends with Aston’s monologue and Act III ends with Davies’
thoughts.
The play’s unity is established through the interaction between
Davies and one of the brothers. The repetition of keywords and actions
also holds the play together. Aston is always trying to fix the
electric plug for example. These recurring actions show that at
the end of the play nothing has changed and Davies is still an outcast.
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