PLAYSCRIPT ANALYSIS

Answer each question in complete sentences. Unless otherwise noted, your answers should
include at least one quote from the text that supports and illustrates your choice.

Please note that any spelling errors in quotes are because I copied the script word for word
even if the spelling was incorrect.
I. Where are they?
They are in a swamp, in some southwest county, most likely in louisiana which is known for its
swamps. When he fell in the river near Tombigbee
II. When are they?
1.
Day, month, year
The time is not so important except for the fact that they are in a time where they practice
voodoo which the plot is wrapped around. ...I ought to teach you a conjure or two... (Time:
Anytime)
2.

Significance of season
I cant really tell the season of this play, I think it may be summer because Wiley does
not go to school and his mom doesnt homeschool him, but that may just be because that would
not add to the plot of the play. In my opinion season has no great significance in this play.

III. Who are they?

1.
Major Relationships (you dont have to mention all of them, just the ones that affect the
plot and the theme.
Wiley and the Hairy Man is not just the name of the play it is also a major relationship. Wiley is
scared of the Hairy Man. He tries to get away from him, which is what the plot of the entire play
is centered around. You get away from me, Hairy Man...
Another Major relationship is that between Wiley and his mother. His mom sends him out to
fight the Hairy Man, but she gives him the proper tools and confidence to do it. If it were not for
Wileys mother Wiley would not have had the courage and proper tools to defeat the Hairy Man
at all.You better get yourself goin', ya hear? If'n you take your hound Dog, you got nothin' to
fear.

The last major relationship I am going to list that between Wiley and his dog. The Hairy man is

scared of dogs so Wiley uses his dog as a layer of protection. He also uses the dog to trick the
Hairy man 2 out of 3 time. The second time he tricks him by having him make all rope vanish
realising his dog. The third time he has the Hairy Man turn his dog back into a dog after being
turned into a statue. After both times the dog attacks the Hairy Man stopping the Hairy man from
hurting Wiley. Dog returns with another tuft of Hairy Man hair in his mouth.

2.

Socio-economic status
N/A
3.
Religion
Religion is important in this play not only because the Hairy man can be interpreted as the devil,
but because of the fact that they practice voodoo, the play contains magic which helps make the
Hairy Man more intimidating, helps Wiley escape from the Hairy Man, and the play more
enjoyable to watch. (Wiley opens the bag. It deflates. CHORUS makes a rushing sound. The
Hairy Man is blown over.)
Mammy: You cain't outmagic the Hairy Man when he's mad . . . too bad."

IV. What happened before the play began? (no quotes needed in this section)
Before the play started at some point Wiley got a dog and his Pappy died. We dont
know much about Pappy except that he was a useless and lazy drunk. The death of his father
causes Wiley to worry that the Devil/Hairy man is going to come for him like his dad. Sending
Wiley into a nightmare that he wakes up from during the play.
V. What is the function of each character? Support your choice. (no quotes needed in this
section)
1.
Who is the protagonist?
I think the protagonist is Wiley because the story follows him around and he is the one who
faces a problem.
2.
Who is the antagonist?
I think the antagonist is the Hairy Man because he stops Wiley from living his regular life and if
you think about it specifically getting wood for his dogs hound house.
3.
Which characters lead and which support?
I think the leads are Wiley and the Hairy man as original as that sounds, because the story
follows the battle between the two of them. I think Mammy is a support because she just helps
give Wiley the skills to fight the Hairy Man and doesnt fight him herself. I think the Chorus are

supports because the dont have lines and the just help create the world the characters are in
rather than being characters themselves.
4.
Identify and describe crowds.
An argument can be made that the chorus is a crowd, because they stay in the
background and help create a greater idea of where you are. However I think they are not a
crowd because they are the scenery, you dont see a bunch of people, all you should see is
foliage, bushes, trees, and quicksand.
VI. What is the plays dramatic structure? Identify exposition, inciting incident, rising
action, climax, falling action and resolution. (no quotes needed in this section)
In the exposition we watch Wiley wake up from a dream about the Hairy Man. This shows us
how scared Wiley is and sets the stage for Wiley facing the Hairy Man.
Wiley:... I think tomorrow's a better day for goin' to the swamp for wood for my hound house....
Mammy: No! Today is the day.
I believe the inciting incident is when Wiley first encounters the Hairy Man causing Wiley to
climb up a tree out of fear.
After the inciting incident the rising action begins and the tension slowly rises as Wiley becomes
closer and closer to defeating the Hairy Man.
In my opinion the climax is when Wiley fools the Hairy Man the third time and we know Wiley
has defeated the Hairy Man.
In the falling action Mammy praises Wiley for defeating the Hairy Man and tells him Wiley that
the Hairy Man wont bother them again.
I think the resolution is when Wiley says hes going to get the wood for his hound house
tomorrow, without fear of the Hairy Man.
VII. What is the plays theme?
I think the theme is that you cant live your life in fear trying to avoid something, you have to face
it.
Excellent analysis, Lily!
50/50