11.Father and Son Peter Shaffer
11.Father and Son Peter Shaffer
Contents ● Synopsis Text Analysis Summary Exercises Questions for Consideration
Contents • Synopsis • Text Analysis • Summary • Exercises • Questions for Consideration
Synopsis Stanley ran a furniture factory.His son,Clive, was a student at Cambridge University.This was the first weekend the family had been together since Clive went up to Cambridge.At the dining-table,Stanley began to talk with Clive,wondering if he had once criticized his furniture as being“shoddy and vulgar'”before the manager.Clive admitted that he had,and Louise,Clive's mother,was on his side.Stanley disliked being attacked by both his son and his wife
Synopsis Stanley ran a furniture factory. His son, Clive, was a student at Cambridge University. This was the first weekend the family had been together since Clive went up to Cambridge. At the dining-table, Stanley began to talk with Clive, wondering if he had once criticized his furniture as being “shoddy and vulgar” before the manager. Clive admitted that he had, and Louise, Clive’s mother, was on his side. Stanley disliked being attacked by both his son and his wife
When he decided to go out for some peace,Clive had to apologize for what he had said about the furniture.Then their topic shifted to college life. Stanley advised his son to make good use of Cambridge.But Clive was not interested in any plan.He would rather be attracted by what he discovered new.When Stanley stressed meeting the right people and the importance of money, Clive just nodded,but he showed his disagreement by refusing to go for a drink with his father
When he decided to go out for some peace, Clive had to apologize for what he had said about the furniture. Then their topic shifted to college life. Stanley advised his son to make good use of Cambridge. But Clive was not interested in any plan. He would rather be attracted by what he discovered new. When Stanley stressed meeting the right people and the importance of money, Clive just nodded, but he showed his disagreement by refusing to go for a drink with his father
Text The relationship between a father and a son is one that has been explored by many writers.Here is part of a play depicting the conflicts in ideology,world view,and artistic taste between an Englishman and his grown-up son
Text The relationship between a father and a son is one that has been explored by many writers. Here is part of a play depicting the conflicts in ideology, world view, and artistic taste between an Englishman and his grown-up son
● Stanley:(carefully):Clive,do you remember coming to the factory for your allowance the day you went up to Cambridge? Clive:Yes,I do. Stanley:did you have a talk to my manager while you were waiting? Clive:Did I....I suppose I did. ● Stanley:Is it true you told him you thought the furniture we make was--what was it一‘shoddy and vulgar'? (Pause).Well? Clive:I think I said it-it lacked... Stanley:What?
• Stanley: (carefully): Clive, do you remember coming to the factory for your allowance the day you went up to Cambridge? • Clive: Yes, I do. • Stanley: did you have a talk to my manager while you were waiting? • Clive: Did I ....I suppose I did. • Stanley: Is it true you told him you thought the furniture we make was—what was it — ‘shoddy and vulgar’ ? (Pause). Well? • Clive: I think I said it —it lacked... • Stanley: What?
Clive:Well,that it didn't use materials as well as it might. Wood,for example.(He smiles hopefully.) Stanley:And the design was shoddy and vulgar? Clive:Well,yes,I suppose I gave that impression.Not all of it,of course-just some things... Stanley:What things? Clive:(plucking up a little courage):Well,those terrible oak cupboards,for example.I think you call it the Jacobean line.And those three-piece suites in mauve plush.Things like that
• Clive: Well, that it didn’t use materials as well as it might. Wood, for example. (He smiles hopefully.) • Stanley: And the design was shoddy and vulgar? • Clive: Well, yes, I suppose I gave that impression. Not all of it, of course—just some things... • Stanley: What things? • Clive: (plucking up a little courage): Well , those terrible oak cupboards, for example. I think you call it the Jacobean line. And those three-piece suites in mauve plush. Things like that
Stanley:(impassive as ever):Mr.Clark said you called them grotesque'.(Clive lowers his eyes.)Is that right- grotesque? Clive:(rises,crosses to commode for book,takes it to chair R.of dining-table):I think they are,rather. Stanley:And I suppose you think that's clever.That's being educated,I suppose;to go up to my manager (Louise enters.)in my own factory and tell him you think the stuff I'm turning out is shoddy and vulgar...Is it?
• Stanley: (impassive as ever):Mr. Clark said you called them ‘grotesque’. (Clive lowers his eyes.) Is that right— grotesque? • Clive: (rises, crosses to commode for book, takes it to chair R. of dining-table): I think they are, rather. • Stanley: And I suppose you think that’s clever. That’s being educated, I suppose; to go up to my manager (Louise enters.) in my own factory and tell him you think the stuff I’m turning out is shoddy and vulgar... Is it?
Louise:(crossing to the sofa):Just because you've got no taste,it doesn't mean we all have to follow suit. (Stanley gives her a look which silences her,then turns again to his son.Clive continues to sit rigid at the table.) ● Stanley:Now you listen to me,my boy.You get this through your head once and for all;I'm in business to make money.I give people what they want.I mean ordinary people.Maybe they haven't got such wonderful taste as you and your mother;perhaps they don't read such good bookswhat is it?-Homes and Gardens? but they know what they want.If they didn't want it,they wouldn't buy it,and I'd be out of business
• Louise: (crossing to the sofa): Just because you’ve got no taste, it doesn’t mean we all have to follow suit. (Stanley gives her a look which silences her, then turns again to his son. Clive continues to sit rigid at the table.) • Stanley: Now you listen to me, my boy. You get this through your head once and for all; I’m in business to make money. I give people what they want. I mean ordinary people. Maybe they haven’t got such wonderful taste as you and your mother; perhaps they don’t read such good books—what is it?—Homes and Gardens? — but they know what they want. If they didn’t want it, they wouldn’t buy it, and I’d be out of business
(Piano stops.) Before you start sneering again,young man,just remember something-you've always had enough to eat. (The explosive opening of the Brahms Third Symphony is heard from Walter's room.) (Looking up,dangerously.)One stops,the other starts. I'm going out. (Stanley stands up.) Louise:Where to-Mr.Benton? Stanley:And if I am,at least I can get some peace there Louise:Ssh
(Piano stops.) Before you start sneering again, young man, just remember something—you’ve always had enough to eat. (The explosive opening of the Brahms Third Symphony is heard from Walter’s room.) (Looking up, dangerously.) One stops, the other starts. I’m going out. (Stanley stands up.) • Louise: Where to — Mr. Benton? • Stanley: And if I am, at least I can get some peace there. • Louise: Ssh
