BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS Neil Simon NEIL SIMON v

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS Neil Simon

NEIL SIMON v Born July 4 th, 1927 (he’ll be 80 this year) • Bronx, NY • After serving in the Army during WWII, his older brother encouraged him to pursue a career in writing • With is brother, Danny, as his writing partner, he first wrote comedy for television for Warner Bros. • 1960, he begins writing plays • Barefoot in the Park—first big success—ran on Broadway for 4 years • The Odd Couple—first Tony Award • Characteristics of Simon’s shows • characters who struggled to handle their feelings in difficult situations and who released tension with humor • mixing of honesty and humor • Semiautobiographical • Awards and Honors • 2 Emmy Awards, 4 Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize, Mark Twain Prize for Humor

EXPOSITION v Setting? • Time/Year • 1937—What was going on in the US in 1937 that affects the Jerome family? What was going on in the world that MIGHT affect the Jerome family? • Great Depression • World War II is looming (starts in 1939) • Place? • The Jerome/Morton home in Brighton Beach, NYC • What is this neighborhood like? What kinds of people live there? • Lower middle class • Immigrants—Russian Jews, Irish, German, Italian

EXPOSITION v Mood: from the opening scenes, what is the sound and feel of the play? • • Nostalgic Loving Playful Sarcastic

EXPOSITION v Background information to understand characters and relationships? • They are a Jewish family • Kate is a bit xenophobic • Kate and Blanche are sisters • Blanche’s husband, Dave, is dead • Eugene wants to be a writer, a baseball player, but most of all, he’d like to see a naked girl (he’s 14 ½ ) • Looks up to his older brother, Stanley

EXPOSITION v Stanley confides to Eugene that he might lose his job • Stanley stood up for a fellow worker—seems to be a good guy v Blanche has two daughters • Laurie (13) has a heart murmur—babied by all • Nora (16) wants to be a Broadway dancer • Asks her mother to decide if she could go on an audition • Blanche won’t make decisions without a man’s advice

EXPOSITION v. Jack Jerome (42) • Has been working two jobs to support two families

INCITING INCIDENT v WHAT IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF CONFLICT OR WORRY FOR THIS FAMILY? • MONEY v WHAT EVENT ADDS THE MOST TO THIS CONFLICT? • JACK LOST HIS SECOND JOB SELLING PARTY FAVORS

RISING ACTION v FOR EUGENE • HE’S GOING THRU PUBERTY AND MIGHT BE IN LOVE WITH NORA v FOR STANLEY • HE NEEDS POP’S ADVICE ABOUT APOLOGY LETTER • HE HAS TO DECIDE IF HE’LL ASK BOSS FOR A RAISE v FOR NORA • SHE NEEDS UNCLE JACK’S ADVICE ABOUT AUDITION

RISING ACTION v FOR KATE • SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT JACK’S HEALTH AND HOW THEY’LL MAKE ENDS MEET • SHE’S WORRIED ABOUT BLANCHE REMARRYING v FOR BLANCHE • SHE’S HAD ANOTHER ASTHMA ATTACK BUT WON’T CALL THE DOCTOR BECAUSE SHE HAS NO MONEY

RISING ACTION CON’T v. For Blanche: • She has a date with Mr. Murphy • She tells Nora “no” to audition v. For Stanley: • He decides to write the letter

RISING ACTION (ACT 2) v. Jack: • has had a heart attack and is off work for three weeks v. Eugene: • Doesn’t like Nora anymore v. Stanley: • Gambled and lost his salary • Fights with Eugene

RISING ACTION (ACT 2) v For Nora • Leaves for date with Larry (cemetery) without seeing her mom v For Kate: • Stanley tells her he lost his salary v For Blanche • No date: Mr. Murphy car accident/DUI

RISING ACTION(ACT 2) v. For Blanche and Kate • Huge fight; first about Murphy, then about Jack/money, and childhood • Blanche says she will move out in morning

CLIMAX v. Stanley says goodbye to Eugene— he decides to avoid facing the consequences by joining the Army

FALLING ACTION v No one asks about Stanley at dinner v Eugene talks to Laurie, then tells his parents • Jack and Kate give very little reaction, which upsets Eugene v Nora and Blanche have it out • Nora’s jealous of Laurie • Blanche agrees she’s been less than a mom, will do better

RESOLUTION v. Blanche and Kate make up • Blanche agrees to stay and save up v. Stanley comes home; doesn’t join up v. Jack gets a letter from Poland; family escaped v. Eugene receives a gift from Stanley puberty is over!!!!