The Starry Night
by A. Gautam
CHARACTERS:
SAMUEL, A middle-aged professor who looks like he has been teaching for centuries
NAGEN, A well-dressed boy who looks nervous and lost
VENUS, An antsy-looking girl dressed in a baseball cap and a torn shirt that looks new
RITCHIE, A dreamy looking young boy with ruffled hair
Stage Set: The outside of a museum. Samuel is leaning on a tree. The students are seated on the grass.
SAMUEL: Well, what was Van Gogh trying to say, really?
VENUS: I thought this was supposed to be a fun trip. You are—like—teaching us outside of class. What's up with that?
NAGEN: If I may, which painting were you referring to, sir?
SAMUEL: Starry Night. The waves in the sky. Imagination and reality. Darn, I am tired as the starry night.
VENUS: There he goes again, into his own little world. Do any of you know when the bus is supposed to pick us up?
NAGEN: I believe it is supposed to come at five. May I ask you a question, miss?
VENUS: Call me Ven. Waiting for the bus will be as fun as the dentist pulling my teeth out.
NAGEN: Ok, Ven. Why didn't the other students come with us?
VENUS: It was optional, dude!
RITCHIE: Nobody cares about art anymore. (to Nagen) Why did you come?
NAGEN: I need to keep busy after school. That is when, Richard, I get the most homesick.
RITCHIE: Call me Ritchie. Where is home for you?
SAMUEL: Who knows really what home is? Why can't people feel at home in art? Why the rush to belong? It does not make a difference if it is a stroke on the canvas or the work of clouds in the sky. To imagine is more important. To imagine the possibilities of the meaning is more beautiful. To find a home in the whole world is possible.
VENUS: Here comes the bus!
NAGEN: It's ————
(All rush to the bus.)
VENUS: Call me Ven. Waiting for the bus will be as fun as the dentist pulling my teeth out.
Which dramatic element is used in the lines above?
A.
dramatic irony
B.
verbal irony
C.
denouement
D.
climax