Define the argument of the play

 

 

TASK #6
Define the argument of the play.

Define the argument of the play by writing (1) a statement of the fundamental thought or issue in the play. (2) a Hegelian Dialectic about the thought and (3) an experimental dialogue building on the dialectic. See the examples below. A dialogue builds by turning each synthesis into a new thesis with a new antithesis leading to a new synthesis, and so forth until a complete synthesis of the total argument is achieved.

The Hypertext Webster Gateway defines the thesis of dialectic as follows:

Thesis 1. A position or proposition which a person advances and offers to maintain, or which is actually maintained by argument.

From WordNet (r) 1.6 (wn)

antithesis n 1: exact opposite; "his theory is the antithesis of mine" 2: the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance

Synthesis: 3. (Logic) The combination of separate elements of thought into a whole, as of simple into complex conceptions, species into genera, individual propositions into systems; -- the opposite of analysis.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR:

Thought: The idea is that child abuse should be stopped. However, forgiveness and love thy neighbor are Christian principles.

Thesis: Child abusers should be reported.

Antithesis: Child abusers should not be reported.

Synthesis: Child abusers should be reported if they don't seek self help.

EXPERIMENTAL DIALECTIC DIALOGUE

 

MILLIE

Today I took the kids to the pool. Denny didn’t have a bathing suit, so I got out one of Timmy’s from last year. When the boys were trying on the bathing suits (She begins to weep), I noticed that Denny . . . .

JOE

What is it honey? You noticed Denny . . . what?

 

MILLIE

Denny had a welt on his backside.

JOE

A welt?

MILLIE

Yes.

JOE

Maybe he fell down playing. The kids get pretty rough sometimes.

MILLIE

A bruise, yes, but not a welt like this one. It could only have been made from a belt buckle.

JOE

Are you sure?

MILLIE

Joe, I’m sure. All you would need to do is to look at it and you’d know.

JOE

OK, I believe you. (pause) You’ve got to report it. Call the police or one of those child abuse authorities.

MILLIE

No, Joe, I can’t.

JOE

Why not?

 

MILLIE

I’ve been thinking about what happens when you report things. . . delay, disbelief. They come and ask questions, they need more proof, they’ll keep an eye on them, but nothing happens. . . not in time. Remember what happen to Jimmy Whitsel?

JOE

Millie, call the police; they’ll put a stop to it. It would put the fear of god into Ralph and Nora.

MILLIE

And make them hate us. They’re our friends, our neighbors. . . we’ve got to help them.

JOE

Help them? What about Denny? Besides, it’s none of our business. In fact, the more I think about it, maybe we shouldn’t do anything. Maybe, you’re wrong. . . think how embarrassing it would be for everybody. Let’s leave well enough alone.

MILLIE

No, Joe, I’m right. We’ve got to do something. We can’t stand by while that little boy’s life is being ruined. He’s afraid! Everyday he lives in fear of a beating.
 

JOE

So call the police.

MILLIE

Before we call the police, we should talk to Ralph and Nora. The main thing is to have the beatings stopped. I don’t want our neighbors to have trouble with the law.

JOE

OK, so we talk to Ralph and Nora. What can we do? How will that get them to stop?

MILLIE

Well, first of all we don’t know for sure, which one is beating Denny of it they both are.

JOE

You think they’ll tell us? Besides, it’s got to be Ralph. You know how aggressive he is, everything’s got to go his way. Nora is too docile. Ralph is the one.

MILLIE

We’ve got to find out for sure, which one is beating Denny. If they agree to stop abusing him and go to a self-help agency of psychologist then we won’t have to call the authorities. If they deny it, or won’t seek help, then we call the police and the child abuse hotline. Joe, (she starts to weep again) if you’d see little Denny. . .

JOE

OK, we call them over, we talk to them, we tell them what you thing. Maybe it’s all a mistake.

MILLIE

They’re our neighbors. I’d only want as much from them.

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