You may recall that plot and theme are closely related. A story’s plot can help you figure out a story’s theme. Another way to think about it is this: what happens in the story serves as evidence for the story’s message or meaning. This principle is just as true for plays and screenplays as for other kinds of stories.
Skye’s journey with her new and mysterious friends happens for a reason―it’s supposed to mean something. If you didn’t realize that during the middle of the play, the hints about the importance of Skye’s journey were even stronger during the resolution stage. At the end of the play, Skye behaves in a way that shows she’s changed: She begs to keep reading. Also, Mama reveals that the things given to Skye by Arwen and Callen were actually hers. This detail is supposed to make the audience wonder and ask questions, but it also sends a message about Skye’s future: She may grow up to be more like her mom than she had ever thought she might.
When you analyze a play, you focus on its different parts and ask yourself what the parts mean―considered separately and together. Use the questions below to analyze the plot of A Very Long Night.
The play’s central conflict is clear by the end of Scene 1. Which sentence describes that conflict best?
- Skye and Gram don’t want to eat broccoli, but Mama forces them to.
- Mama and Gram disagree about whether or not Skye should do homework.
- Mama doesn’t believe Skye’s story about Arwen and Callen, but Gram does.
- Skye doesn’t want to eat healthy food or study, but Mama insists.
Mama has rules that impose structure on Skye’s life, and Skye resists Mama’s efforts to keep her healthy and smart.
Mama has rules that impose structure on Skye’s life, and Skye resists Mama’s efforts to keep her healthy and smart.
Mama has rules that impose structure on Skye’s life, and Skye resists Mama’s efforts to keep her healthy and smart.
Mama has rules that impose structure on Skye’s life, and Skye resists Mama’s efforts to keep her healthy and smart.
In Scene 2, Skye’s attitude toward life is supported by Arwen and Callen. Which sentence best summarizes that attitude?
- Eating cake is much better than eating broccoli.
- Having fun is more important than following rules.
- It’s important to share one’s toys with other kids.
- Adults should be punished for spoiling kids’ fun.
All three children make choices that emphasize fun over responsibility.
All three children make choices that emphasize fun over responsibility.
All three children make choices that emphasize fun over responsibility.
All three children make choices that emphasize fun over responsibility.
In Scene 3, Skye’s understanding of life and of herself gets more complicated. What causes this change?
- Arwen and Callen try to force Skye to stay and play with them.
- Mama and Gram become anxious about Skye’s disappearance.
- Skye begins to sympathize with Arwen’s perspective as well as Callen’s.
- Skye sympathizes with Callen’s character but does not like Arwen.
In Scene 3, Skye sees more than one side to the siblings’ conflict and also begins to see more than one side to herself.
In Scene 3, Skye sees more than one side to the siblings’ conflict and also begins to see more than one side to herself.
In Scene 3, Skye sees more than one side to the siblings’ conflict and also begins to see more than one side to herself.
In Scene 3, Skye sees more than one side to the siblings’ conflict and also begins to see more than one side to herself.
Skye is happy to eat cake in Scene 4, but not so much in Scene 5. What does this change say about Skye?
- She discovers that Arwen and Callen have no common sense.
- She finally appreciates all that Mama has sacrificed for her.
- She’s beginning to see the value of some of Mama’s ideas.
- She has decided that she needs to help Arwen and Callen grow up.
Skye realizes that she doesn’t really want to eat only cake and candy―that she actually prefers a more varied and healthy diet.
Skye realizes that she doesn’t really want to eat only cake and candy―that she actually prefers a more varied and healthy diet.
Skye realizes that she doesn’t really want to eat only cake and candy―that she actually prefers a more varied and healthy diet.
Skye realizes that she doesn’t really want to eat only cake and candy―that she actually prefers a more varied and healthy diet.
In Scene 5, Mama is a little shocked by the change in Skye. Why would the audience be less shocked?
- because Skye tells the audience directly that she has changed
- because the audience was able to watch the transformation in Skye
- because Gram predicted that Skye would grow up to be like Mama
- because Skye has said she wants to be exactly like Arwen
In many plays, the audience knows more than some of the characters about what has happened during the play. Mama didn’t see what happened in the cabin on Mt. Hood.
In many plays, the audience knows more than some of the characters about what has happened during the play. Mama didn’t see what happened in the cabin on Mt. Hood.
In many plays, the audience knows more than some of the characters about what has happened during the play. Mama didn’t see what happened in the cabin on Mt. Hood.
In many plays, the audience knows more than some of the characters about what has happened during the play. Mama didn’t see what happened in the cabin on Mt. Hood.
Which two sentences describe themes that are supported by the play’s ending?
- Growing up is the result of learning to follow rules.
- There is value in diversity, even within oneself.
- Most people are more complicated than they realize.
- Families rely on each other in times of need.
Skye realizes that she is just as much like Arwen as she is like Callen. And she seems more willing to accept this quieter part of her personality than she was at the beginning of the play. Skye sees the value of having a diverse set of interests and abilities.
Skye realizes that she is just as much like Arwen as she is like Callen. And she seems more willing to accept this quieter part of her personality than she was at the beginning of the play. Skye sees the value of having a diverse set of interests and abilities.
Skye realizes that she is just as much like Arwen as she is like Callen. And she seems more willing to accept this quieter part of her personality than she was at the beginning of the play. Skye sees the value of having a diverse set of interests and abilities.
Skye realizes that she is just as much like Arwen as she is like Callen. And she seems more willing to accept this quieter part of her personality than she was at the beginning of the play. Skye sees the value of having a diverse set of interests and abilities.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
