-NiE ,
INTERMEDIATE Play
NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Organise
Creative thinking ● Imagine
● Invent
Problem solving ● Recreate
● Present
12 JULY 2017
9
A smooth facade O. HENRY is the witty author behind this play about office worker Towers Chandler who saves one dollar out of the 18 dollars he earns each week. After 10 weeks, he would indulge in a night out. Dressed in his Sunday best, he would set off to dine in one of the most expensive restaurants in New York, after which he would take a taxi home. On one of these nights out, a girl wearing rather shabby clothes bumps into him and hurts her foot when she falls. Chandler is concerned and offers to call a taxi to take her home. She declines but later accepts Chandler’s offer to have dinner. Chandler is by now very attracted to the girl, Marian, whom he believes to be a common shop girl. He tries to impress her with tales of his rich and idle lifestyle. When they part ways, Chandler regrets not telling her the true circumstances of his modest lifestyle. He does not know that Marian actually comes from a wealthy family and wishes to marry someone who has a worthy purpose in his life. In fact, she wishes to meet with someone whose lifestyle is exactly the opposite of the one Chandler claims to lead.
Communicating ● Oral
● Written
Collaborating ● Contribute ● Attain goal respectfully
In the following extract from the play A Night Out, Chandler explains to his friend Jeff White what he does on his evening out. White : What do you do? Chandler : I put on my finest clothes, go to one of the best restaurants in New York, eat the most expensive food on the menu, drink the best coffee, then take a taxi home! White : (Very surprised) Why? Chandler : Why? Because it makes me feel wonderful to sit with some of the richest people in America, and to make them think that I’m rich, too.
Imagine that this conversation was between two office workers in Malaysia. Fill in the blanks with the words using phrases and words from The Star. You may even create your own names to replace White’s and Chandler’s.
White : What do you do? Chandler : I put on ……………………………….., go to ……………………………….., eat ……………………………….., drink ……………………………….., then take a ……………………………….. home! White : (Very surprised) Why? Chandler : Why? Because it makes me feel …………………………………………………………………..…………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………....
NiE Activity 2 Creative thinking
Critical thinking
The following is another extract from the play. Marian is talking to her sister.
Sissie Marian
Sissie Marian
● Imagine ● Invent
● Identify ● Reason
Sissie’s choice
Ben Radnish Heir to a steel fortune who spends his time in his luxury yachts and holiday villas. Often attends redcarpet events. Well-known for his expensive designer suits and fleet of luxury cars.
1 2 3 4
● Identify ● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect
Problem solving
● Question ● Recreate
Collaborating
● Non-verbal ● Written
● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise
Marian’s choice
Jay Merdian Lawyer who prefers to work for humanitarian causes such as famine relief. Enjoys science fiction movies and jazz, and walks in the park with his dog, Sacha.
Pictures and names to represent their chosen husbands-to-be Occupations (of both men) Personalities
5 6 7
Interests People they admire Life slogans
Places they like to visit
Activity 3 Critical thinking
● Question ● Recreate
Communicating
EXAMPLE
: Who could you love? : I could love a man with kind blue eyes, who doesn’t try to flirt with every girl he sees. But I could only love him if he has some important work to do in the world. Then it doesn’t matter how poor he is. : You are crazy! : Perhaps. But, sister dear, we only meet men who ride their horses and go dancing. I couldn’t love a man like that, even if his eyes are blue and he’s kind to poor girls who meet him in the street.
Marian’s sister does not seem to share Marian’s feelings about future life partners. In groups of four, look in The Star for suitable pictures and words to describe the choices of the two sisters according to the list on the right. Cut them out and paste them in different columns on a sheet of A4 paper. You may use some of your own words, but all the pictures and at least 10 words or phrases must come from The Star. Present in class when you have finished.
Problem solving
Communicating
Collaborating
● Non-verbal ● Aural
● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
In the play, Marian says: Everyone thought that I was a shop girl! It was wonderful! Why do you think Marian was delighted when people thought that she was a shop girl? What would you happily be mistaken for and what would sadden you? Discuss in groups of four. Then, look for pictures or words from The Star to represent each of your choices. Cut them out and paste them on different sections on a sheet of A4 paper, together with your reasons. Take turns to present your work in class.