Tamaryn Claassen
Student number 53785223
THL1502
Assignment 4
Unique number 627978
, Question 1 (a)
Character chosen to analyse: Miss Helen
The psychological approach is when dramatic characters are analysed as if they are real
people. This approach is especially useful when analysing realistic dramas, which resemble
reality.
The character/actor approach focussed on the relationship between the actor and the
character, as well as the spectator’s role in this relationship (Keuris, 1996:19)
A: the character’s own speech and actions
Miss Helen is a rather feisty elderly lady. She is very set in her ways and makes it very clear
what she is after in life. She does not let the opinions of anyone sway her and continues to
live her life as she sees fit.
She sometimes makes irrational decisions that could endanger her, this is an example of her
strong-willed personality, for example when she lights candles in her home. She is hard of
sight and could knock a candle over, which could endanger her home.
B: what other characters say about the character or how they behave towards him or her
Elsa is a dear friend to Miss Helen. She is greatly respectful of her and looks up to her. Else
sees Miss Helen’s Mecca as she would like it to be seen – a work of art. Helen and Elsa share
a trust between each other and are true friends.
C: foreknown knowledge about the character
Miss Helen is seen as the protagonist in the drama. She fills the void she feels for life on her
property in Nieu Bathesda with sculptures and statues that all face Mecca. These
unconventional pieces and her artistic lifestyle make Miss Helen an outcast in the eyes of
the community. Miss Helen has bad eyesight, and her health is deteriorating. Throughout
the drama Miss Helen struggles with depression. This depression stems from her aging
process which she has no control over.
D: visual information about a character
Miss Helen is an elderly woman. She has a deteriorating health, making her frail and she
battles with her eyesight. Her clothing may be eccentric as she is seen as unconventional.
Student number 53785223
THL1502
Assignment 4
Unique number 627978
, Question 1 (a)
Character chosen to analyse: Miss Helen
The psychological approach is when dramatic characters are analysed as if they are real
people. This approach is especially useful when analysing realistic dramas, which resemble
reality.
The character/actor approach focussed on the relationship between the actor and the
character, as well as the spectator’s role in this relationship (Keuris, 1996:19)
A: the character’s own speech and actions
Miss Helen is a rather feisty elderly lady. She is very set in her ways and makes it very clear
what she is after in life. She does not let the opinions of anyone sway her and continues to
live her life as she sees fit.
She sometimes makes irrational decisions that could endanger her, this is an example of her
strong-willed personality, for example when she lights candles in her home. She is hard of
sight and could knock a candle over, which could endanger her home.
B: what other characters say about the character or how they behave towards him or her
Elsa is a dear friend to Miss Helen. She is greatly respectful of her and looks up to her. Else
sees Miss Helen’s Mecca as she would like it to be seen – a work of art. Helen and Elsa share
a trust between each other and are true friends.
C: foreknown knowledge about the character
Miss Helen is seen as the protagonist in the drama. She fills the void she feels for life on her
property in Nieu Bathesda with sculptures and statues that all face Mecca. These
unconventional pieces and her artistic lifestyle make Miss Helen an outcast in the eyes of
the community. Miss Helen has bad eyesight, and her health is deteriorating. Throughout
the drama Miss Helen struggles with depression. This depression stems from her aging
process which she has no control over.
D: visual information about a character
Miss Helen is an elderly woman. She has a deteriorating health, making her frail and she
battles with her eyesight. Her clothing may be eccentric as she is seen as unconventional.
