Steps toward the Dramatic Climax: Mrs. Capron prays the Lord to “keep us from needless cruelties.” The author summarily indicates that Frenzy becomes the butt of petty spite.
Dramatic Climax: First phase, as narrated, lies in Miss Giddings’s metaphorical burial. Her enemies are at the highest peak of their mean triumph. The second phase, intensifying the first, indicates the girl’s downfall. (Point out the forecast to this dramatic climax.)
Steps toward the Climax of Action: 1. The incident of the girl’s return. 2. Miss Frenzy keeps her, as an assistant. 3. Mrs. Tyarck, in disapproval, takes her patronage to the “other” store; Mrs. Capron bestows tracts.
Climax of Action: Frenzy turns the tables in completely routing her enemy. (Scene between Mrs. Tyarck and Frenzy.)
Dénouement: Frenzy’s conjecture about the cherry tree closes the story.
(What does the author lose in summarizing, rather than in dramatizing, her dramatic climax? What does she gain in relative values by its subdual?)
Characterization. By emphasizing physical traits Miss Babcock has differentiated her characters unmistakably, if a bit obviously. Frenzy’s stiffly refined diction (in contrast to the slangy speech of coarse Mrs. Tyarck), and Mrs. Capron’s hawking illustrate her method. Tabulate the characteristics of the chief figures.
How has she individualized them by their acts? In connection with your study of personal appearance, evaluate the use: 1. Of the “two large pins of green ... like bulbous, misplaced eyes”.... 2. Of the wing on Mrs. Tyarck’s hat. 3. Of the girl’s red sweater.
The only masculine figures who appear on the stage are little Johnnie Tyarck and Mr. Bloomby. Is the fact that their male presence contributes to background, or to realistic effect, a sufficient gain for shifting to their respective points of view?
Which of the characters is most frequently found in every day life?