GCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE
Dennis Kelly: DNA
DNA deals with a plethora of contemporary issues through its portrayal of a particularly
disaffected and alienated teenage-orientated view of the ‘modern’ world. The characters are
loosely drawn and not often given space to comment on anything other than their immediate
world and the complications of the relationships through which it is structured. Confrontational
situations permeate the scenes, often framed around a character addressing another with no
response and at times this creates scenes constructed of a series of monologues. This lack of
communication builds powerful dramatic tension and often explodes into furious argument
between characters and within characters. DNA, as a drama, takes the negativity and nihilism of
a group of teenagers to a wholly different level to that which has been seen in literature before,
e.g. Catcher in the Rye. There is virtually no communication with the world outside the
friendship group portrayed in the opening scenes. The world of the characters takes very little
notice of the rest of society until faced with the consequences of an act of wilful and ‘mindless’
aggression. The aftermath of this act simultaneously brings the characters closer together and
tears them apart. When studying this play the reader should enjoy the power of the arguments
and (hopefully) will be shocked by the immorality that underpins the choices made by some of
the characters. This play has provoked intense discussion about right and wrong and our
responsibility for each other.
• In Kelly’s theatre, violence is presented as a human impulse, and also as the result of
historical and political events. Personal stories about school pupils, of co- workers, siblings or
neighbours spread outwards, becoming critiques of global politics.
• Kelly wrote DNA during the ‘War on Terror’ at the start of the 21st century while the world
witnessed violent attacks on civilians, invasion, occupation, war, rebellion and torture.
Why do you think Dennis Kelly represents violence in his theatre?
HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT
• DNA was Kelly’s first play to be produced at the National Theatre, originally commissioned as
part Key themes and discussion points for Dennis Kelly’s DNA These ideas are taken from, and
explored further, in the new Methuen Drama Student Edition of DNA with introductory notes by
Clare Finburgh Delijani. For more resources watch the Dennis Kelly and Clare Finburgh Delijani
Q&A at bloomsbury.com/dna-9781350188044
, KEY THEMES AND QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
Dennis Kelly considers universal themes: love, death, violence, conspiracy, peer pressure,
gangs, power, inequality, ecology. What is unique about Kelly is how he integrates these
enduring themes on to the quotidian lives of people in average, recognisable settings in
contemporary Britain.
• Fear. Why do the characters in DNA find their lives frightening? Why might they find the
world frightening?
• Violence. The violence in the play isn’t shown – we’re told about it. How can you use lighting
or sound to convey it?
• DNA and nature. Which characters would you describe as ‘chimps’? Which would you
describe as ‘bonobos’? Or are humans not that transparent?
• Fate and transformation. Which characters in DNA break the cycle of violence?
CHARACTERISATION
When analysing characters, consider their relationship within their pair, and with the
wider group. • While Jan and Mark are not principal characters, they play the important
role of opening each of the four sections of the play, or ‘acts’. • John Tate and Lou. Lou is a
minor character, her presence serving mainly to illustrate John Tate’s dominance over her
and the rest of the gang. Why do you think John Tate is the only character with a
surname? • Leah and Phil are DNA’s central pairing. Their relationship might appear
dysfunctional, since no matter what Leah does, she fails to elicit a reaction from Phil.
However, their dynamic also works, since he provides a sounding board for her numerous
philosophical and sociological theories, and she provides him with the company he
evidently misses when she is gone. What is the significance of Phil’s eating?
Language
Kelly’s modern play uses colloquial words and taboo language to add realism and
to present the teenagers’ cavalierl response to Adam’s torture, as well as their cynical
and nihilistic attitude:
Mark describes how they made Adam “nick some vodka”, and how they
“pegged” a stone at him
The use of profanities underlines the group’s willingness to transgress
boundaries
Dennis Kelly: DNA
DNA deals with a plethora of contemporary issues through its portrayal of a particularly
disaffected and alienated teenage-orientated view of the ‘modern’ world. The characters are
loosely drawn and not often given space to comment on anything other than their immediate
world and the complications of the relationships through which it is structured. Confrontational
situations permeate the scenes, often framed around a character addressing another with no
response and at times this creates scenes constructed of a series of monologues. This lack of
communication builds powerful dramatic tension and often explodes into furious argument
between characters and within characters. DNA, as a drama, takes the negativity and nihilism of
a group of teenagers to a wholly different level to that which has been seen in literature before,
e.g. Catcher in the Rye. There is virtually no communication with the world outside the
friendship group portrayed in the opening scenes. The world of the characters takes very little
notice of the rest of society until faced with the consequences of an act of wilful and ‘mindless’
aggression. The aftermath of this act simultaneously brings the characters closer together and
tears them apart. When studying this play the reader should enjoy the power of the arguments
and (hopefully) will be shocked by the immorality that underpins the choices made by some of
the characters. This play has provoked intense discussion about right and wrong and our
responsibility for each other.
• In Kelly’s theatre, violence is presented as a human impulse, and also as the result of
historical and political events. Personal stories about school pupils, of co- workers, siblings or
neighbours spread outwards, becoming critiques of global politics.
• Kelly wrote DNA during the ‘War on Terror’ at the start of the 21st century while the world
witnessed violent attacks on civilians, invasion, occupation, war, rebellion and torture.
Why do you think Dennis Kelly represents violence in his theatre?
HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT
• DNA was Kelly’s first play to be produced at the National Theatre, originally commissioned as
part Key themes and discussion points for Dennis Kelly’s DNA These ideas are taken from, and
explored further, in the new Methuen Drama Student Edition of DNA with introductory notes by
Clare Finburgh Delijani. For more resources watch the Dennis Kelly and Clare Finburgh Delijani
Q&A at bloomsbury.com/dna-9781350188044
, KEY THEMES AND QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
Dennis Kelly considers universal themes: love, death, violence, conspiracy, peer pressure,
gangs, power, inequality, ecology. What is unique about Kelly is how he integrates these
enduring themes on to the quotidian lives of people in average, recognisable settings in
contemporary Britain.
• Fear. Why do the characters in DNA find their lives frightening? Why might they find the
world frightening?
• Violence. The violence in the play isn’t shown – we’re told about it. How can you use lighting
or sound to convey it?
• DNA and nature. Which characters would you describe as ‘chimps’? Which would you
describe as ‘bonobos’? Or are humans not that transparent?
• Fate and transformation. Which characters in DNA break the cycle of violence?
CHARACTERISATION
When analysing characters, consider their relationship within their pair, and with the
wider group. • While Jan and Mark are not principal characters, they play the important
role of opening each of the four sections of the play, or ‘acts’. • John Tate and Lou. Lou is a
minor character, her presence serving mainly to illustrate John Tate’s dominance over her
and the rest of the gang. Why do you think John Tate is the only character with a
surname? • Leah and Phil are DNA’s central pairing. Their relationship might appear
dysfunctional, since no matter what Leah does, she fails to elicit a reaction from Phil.
However, their dynamic also works, since he provides a sounding board for her numerous
philosophical and sociological theories, and she provides him with the company he
evidently misses when she is gone. What is the significance of Phil’s eating?
Language
Kelly’s modern play uses colloquial words and taboo language to add realism and
to present the teenagers’ cavalierl response to Adam’s torture, as well as their cynical
and nihilistic attitude:
Mark describes how they made Adam “nick some vodka”, and how they
“pegged” a stone at him
The use of profanities underlines the group’s willingness to transgress
boundaries
