The 39 Steps Play Guide For AQA GCSE Drama

COMPONENT 1 UNDERSTANDING DRAMA 30 The 39 Steps in context The context of a play includes the wider events, circumstances and influences of the period represented in the play: 4 Social 4 Historical 4 Political. The characters in the play are affected by where they live, as well as the politics, economics and concerns of the time. You will be expected to demonstrate how you could use the context of the play to influence design choices. An understanding of the context will also provide insight into the play’s themes and the characters’ feelings and motivations. The play The 39 Steps was inspired both by the novel by John Buchan and the popular 1935 film of it, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, but is also an affectionate parody of period action thrillers . Set in the 1930s, the play emphasises this historic context by the way characters speak and behave, as well as its presentation of the distinctive locations of London and Scotland. Historical background 4 The play is set in August 1935, before the start of the Second World War. 4 Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and radically changed how the country was ruled. With this change in leadership, much of Europe feared the rise of fascism . 4 In the play, Annabella and Professor Jordan are both German, but are working on different political sides. 4 When Professor Jordan refers to the ‘master race’ (page 40), he is echoing a common phrase used in Nazi speech which idealised the purity of the Aryan race. 4 Annabella supports ‘Demokratikisch’ (page 41) – democracy – and, given who is ruling in Germany at this time, feels that she has ‘no country’ (page 8). 4 Hannay refers to the ‘rumours of war’ (page 2) that are dominating the newspapers. Newspapers and the radio were primary sources of information about current events at the time. 4 Hannay is portrayed as a patriotic figure who is willing to risk his life to save his country. 4 In 1939, when the Second World War began, Britain and its allies were fighting Germany. 1930s society: employment, education and entertainment 4 Hannay is presented as being a relatively affluent character: he belongs to a gentleman’s club, goes out regularly and employs a cleaning woman. 4 He lives in rented accommodation in central London and stresses his unsettled, bachelor lifestyle, while many of his friends are settling down to steady jobs and marriages, or have succumbed to the dangers of their adventurous lives. Advertisements in Picadilly Circus, c.1935 6 KEY TERMS Parody: An exaggerated, but sometimes affectionate, imitation made for comic effect. Thrillers: Books, plays or films that create excitement and suspense with plots that usually revolve around crime and deception. Fascism: A dictatorial form of government with extreme, intolerant views and practices. Affluent: Wealthy, prosperous, well off.