Today, we finished reading the play A Thousand Clowns. You were then given the following questions to do as homework (you also handed in your Act II questions). The questions for Act 3 are below. These are due for Monday.
A Thousand Clowns: Act 3 Questions
1. In Act 3, Murray and Arnold have a talk. It ends when Arnold sums up the basic difference between himself and Murray with this: "I'm lucky. I'm gifted. I have a talent for surrender. I'm at peace, but you are cursed." Explain what Arnold meant. Do you agree with his view? Why?
2. Leo Herman can be viewed as both a tragic and comic figure. Is he more likely to move the audience to laughter or tears? Why? How did you react to Herman? Why?
3. For the most part, all the characters in the play are quite different from one another. Yet, they all seem to be attracted to each other. Why? Explain your point of view.
4. Jason Robards, who has played the role of Murray, described Murray as "the sidewalk superintendent of the human race". What do you think he meant?
5. Murray has been described as "a nonconformist who worries about getting mothered by the world". What do you think this means?
6. Murray feels that too many people spend their lives in the “rat race”. He found a way to avoid this with his own life. What other ways do you think there could be of avoiding the rat race?
7. Herb Gardner has his own idea about what happens to Murray after the final curtain. What do you think is most likely to happen to him? Why?
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