1. Before, During, and After Reading Skills
The Frog Prince
by David Mamet
Before, During, and After Reading Skills
Scene 1

2. What are the elements of a play classified as a “comedy”?
Literary Focus Page 775
What are the elements of a play classified as a “comedy”?
Ends happily
Makes us laugh along the way
A “good” comedy shows the audience something true about life; something that may not be funny at all
What role does conflict play in a “comedy”?
Is at the “heart” or center of a comedy
Characters confront obstacles and often a series of complications as they attempt to achieve their goals
In “traditional” comedies, the flawed central characters learn from their mistakes
Order is restored in the end

3. Author Information & Build Background
Page 776
Read the “Meet the Writer” section on page 776.
Make a list of at least three important facts you learn about the author.
Circle the detail you think is the most important.
Based on the biographical information, what should an active reader look for while reading?
Examples of loyalty and betrayal
The success and failure of the American Dream
The need to speak the truth
Dialogue: use of rhythmic, clipped, and overlapping lines.

4. Preview and Predictions The play only contains 4 main characters.
Before Reading Skills
Preview and Predictions
The Frog Prince
The play only contains 4 main characters.
The Prince
The Servingman (Servant)
The Witch
The Milkmaid
Describe the physical appearance and role each character will play in the story.

5. Preview and Predictions
Before Reading Skills
Preview and Predictions
Archetypes
Literary Focus
Archetypes are universal patterns that recur in literature.
characters (the brave hero; the wise old man; trickster)
plots or events (the heroic quest; struggle to survive)
settings (paradise; a dark forest)
images or symbols (a crystal ball; a trusty sword; poisoned apple)

6. Before Reading Skills Preview and Predictions
Examine the text features located throughout scene.
Make a list of the things you “know” or “think you know” based only on the text features.
Make a list of at least 3 things you want to know, but you need to read in order to find out.

7. Structure and Purpose of a Drama
During Reading Skills
Structure and Purpose of a Drama
The purpose of a drama is to entertain the audience and to present information/details about the characters.
The audience will learn about the characters in several ways. Pay attention to the characters and try to keep them organized as you read.
You will be asked to make inferences and draw conclusions based on your understanding of the text.

8. Comprehension/Discussion Questions
Scene 1
Read the sidebar notes and information as well as the literary and reading focus questions on the bottom of the page.
Identify which characters are in this scene and keep track of the things we learn about them in scene 1.
Predict what will happen in the next scene(s).

9. Scene 1 Literary Analysis What is your impression of the Prince?
Cite a few examples from the scene to defend your claim.
How does the author, Mamet, create characters that are different that what most audiences expect in a traditional “fairy tale”?

10. How do we learn about characters during a play?
What the characters say
What the characters do
What other characters say about them
How other characters treat them