How to use the guide:

• Using the 4 Quad Routine and the guiding

questions given, you are to independently
annotate your copy of the play.
• Make sure that you have completed the
annotation BEFORE your Lit lesson so you
won’t be so lost in class. Your teachers will
not go through the play line by line with
you.
• Feel free to approach your teachers if you
need them to check your annotations of if
you have any questions 
 Recap: 4 Quad Routine
1. What do you think is happening 2. What can you INFER from the
in this part of the text? word/phrase/sentence picked out in
• Pick out quad 1?
words/phrases/sentences that e.g. I can infer that Sally’s mother
describe actions, words, does not like her at all.
thoughts, feelings, views
E.g. 5 aspects of characterisation

4. Link Quad 1-3 to the thematic issue 3. a. What techniques does the writer use?
of the text:
e.g. diction, literary devices (repetition, hyperbole,
e.g. Theme of Child Abuse: Mrs. Lane alliteration etc.)
manipulates Sally by making her go to
b. What effects do they have on your understanding of
the shop to get free goods
the text?
(psychological abuse)
e.g. The use of the word “hard” to describe Mrs. Lane’s
heart (3a) shows that she is unsympathetic (3b)
 Setting & Characters
Setting Kitchen (in Albert & Ben’s home)

Characters: Main characters Offstage characters

Albert, 40s (Father) Ma (Albert’s Wife,

Ben’s Mother)
Ben, 18 (Son) Sushila

Uncle Reggie
Scene 1

Setting (Lines 1-7)

Quad 1: • Take note of the details of the kitchen.
Quad 2: • What does the details of the setting reveal about the owner?
What qualities do they point to?
Quad 3: • Take note of the setting when you analyse the entire play. Why
do you think the playwright chooses to set the play in the
kitchen?
Quad 4 -
 Call from Sushila, Ben’s girlfriend.
Albert thinks that Ben is hiding Sushila from
Ben mentions that Ma would agree that the braces him because she is pregnant.
were too expensive, Albert blows up at the mention of Scene ends with a huge argument and Ben
Ma storming out of the room.
Albert upset at Ben for invading his privacy
Ben upset at Albert that he got braces for Ben despite him telling his father
2 years ago he didn’t need them
No falling
Albert upset at Ben for not appreciating the braces he got for Ben
Differing opinions on Uncle Reggie:
action/resolution,
Albert sees him as a good friend for giving him a good
discount conflict is
Ben thinks Uncle Reggie overcharged Ben’s braces
Ben found out that Albert had
unresolved
been secretly paying for his
(Ben’s) braces at Uncle Reggie’s
clinic.
 Timeline of Scene 1 (Braces Conflict）
• Argument over the cost
of the braces
• Ben finds receipts in Albert’s • Albert gets triggered
desk from Uncle Reggie’s clinic when Ben mentions that
• Albert lies that he did his
2 Years ago Lines 43-55
Ma would have agreed
fillings there, but Ben exposes the braces were too
his lie expensive

• Ben told Albert he didn’t need • Ben finds out Albert had
braces because they were too Lines 35-41 been paying for Ben’s Lines 68-79)
expensive (Line 56) braces at Uncle Reggie’s
• BUT Ben had crooked teeth, clinic
Albert got braces for him so • Argument over Uncle
that the other kids would not Reggie
tease him more (Lines 59-62)
Scene 1
Lines 8-23
Quad 1: • Take note of what you find striking about Ben and Albert’s conversation:
- How does Ben speak to his father?
- How does Albert respond to Ben?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about:
- Character motivations of both character
- Relationship between both characters
Quad 3: -
Quad 4 -
Scene 1
Lines 24-42
Quad 1: • What did Albert lie to Ben about?
• Take note of what you find striking about how Ben exposed Albert’s lie
Quad 2: • Why do you think Albert lied to Ben?
• What can you infer about Ben based on how he exposed his father’s lie?
Quad 3: • Line 41: Explain the use of humour to establish the relationship between Albert and
Ben
Quad 4 -
Scene 1
Lines 43-55
Quad 1: • Map out the conflict between Ben and Albert over Uncle Reggie:
• What does each character say about Uncle Reggie?
• Lines 51-55: Why did Albert go to Uncle Reggie’s clinic to get Ben his braces?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about what Ben’s and Albert’s opinions of Uncle Reggie?
• How does this cause conflict between them?
• Lines 51-55: What does this say about the family financial situation and Albert’s
character traits? Why?
Quad 3: • Role of off-stage character (Uncle Reggie): how does his presence add tension to the
play? (worsen conflict between Ben & Albert)
Quad 4 -
Scene 1
Lines 56-67
Quad 1: • Highlight Ben’s and Albert’s conflicting wants.
• Why didn’t Ben want the braces?
• Why did Alfred insist on getting the braces for Ben?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Ben and Albert based on evidence in Quad 1?
• What can you infer about their relationship?
Quad 3: • Explain the use of:
- Similes in lines 59 and 63
- Hyperbole in line 67
How does this add to the mood of the play?
Quad 4 Theme of Love & Respect:
How to Albert & Ben show love to each other?
Scene 1
Lines 68-77
Quad 1: • What did Ben say that triggered Albert?
• What were the reasons that Albert was angry at Ben?
• Identify the main conflict between Ben and Albert
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Ben’s and Albert’s attitudes towards Ma?

Quad 3: Role of off-stage character (Ma): how does her presence add tension to the play?
(worsen conflict between Ben & Albert)

Quad 4 Theme of Love & Respect:

• Why does Albert lash out at Ben at the mention of Ma?
• How does he feel about himself as a parent compared to Ma?
Scene 1
Lines 78-103 (end of scene)
Quad 1: • Why was Albert angry at Ben over Sushila?
• Observe the build up of tension till the end of the scene.
• How does the scene end?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Albert’s attitude towards Ben?
• How do you think both characters are feeling towards the end? Why?
Quad 3: Role of off-stage character (Sushila): how does her presence add tension to the play?
(worsen conflict between Ben & Albert)
Use of sarcasm (line 100)
Explain the stage directions at the end. How does the argument build up into a climax?

Quad 4 -
Scene 2
Scene 2
Lines 104-114
Quad 1: • What do you observe about the setting of the play? What did Ben do to the kitchen?
• What was Albert’s reaction to the setting?

Quad 2: • What can you infer about Albert’s reaction given the setting?

Quad 3: • How do the stage directions create tension in this scene?

Quad 4 -
Scene 2
Lines 115-122
Quad 1: • Lines 115-116: What did Ben request Albert to do?
• How did Albert react to Ben’s request?
• Lines 121-122: What are Ben’s reasons for making the pratas by hand?

Quad 2: • Lines 115-116: What is Ben’s intention behind his request to his father? (Take note
there are 2 reasons, a surface one and his real intention)
• Explain the reason why Albert initially refused to help Ben. How does he mask the
reason?
• Lines 121-122: What is Ben’s character motivation behind his words?
Quad 3: • Symbol of making pratas
• Parallelism: Think about Ben making pratas for Sushila vs. Albert making pratas
together. What do the pratas symbolise?
Quad 4 Theme of love: (Relationship between Ma & Ben)
Why is Ben so insistent on making the pratas that Ma used to make? What does he want
to achieve?
Scene 2
Lines 123-131

Quad 1: • How did Albert discourage Ben in his attempt of making pratas?
• How did Ben react to Albert’s discouragement?
• Highlight what you find striking about the stage directions in lines 128-131.
Quad 2: • What is Albert trying to imply based on the evidence in Quad 1?
• What does Ben’s outburst in Quad 1 say about his feelings towards his father? What
is he trying to tell Albert?
• What can you infer about Albert’s and Ben’s emotions and character traits based on
their actions in lines 128-131? What can you infer about their relationship?

Quad 3: • Symbolism: What is the significance of both father and son making pratas together in
Ma’s absence?
Quad 4 • Theme of Love:
- Who do the pratas remind both father and son of?
- Why is Ben so desperate for his father’s help to make Ma’s pratas?
- Why is Albert initially so reluctant to help Ben with the pratas?
(*recall his reaction when Ben mentioned Ma in Scene 1)
Scene 2
Lines 132-156

Quad 1: • Take note of Ben’s and Albert’s behaviour when Ma’s making pratas. Highlight what
you find striking about their actions.
• Identify the shocking revelation from Albert about Ma’s pratas.
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Ben’s and Albert’s emotions and character traits based on
your evidence from Quad 1?
• What do you find shocking about Albert’s revelation?
Quad 3: Symbolism of pratas:
• What does Albert and Ben’s struggles in making pratas symbolise?
Parallelism: (lines 155-156)
• Albert’s vs Ma’s ability in making pratas
• Albert’s vs Ma’s ability in parenting (see line 158 onwards)
Quad 4 Theme of love & respect:
Where does Albert’s sense of self-worth/respect come from?
Scene 2
Lines 157-187

Quad 1: • Highlight Albert’s perception of his parenting vs Ma’s parenting when she was alive.
• What does Albert blame himself for?
• How does Albert see himself as a parent to Ben?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Albert’s emotions
• How does Albert see himself vs. Ma as a parent?
• Why is Albert blaming himself? How does this reflect on his self esteem?
Quad 3: Parallelism: (lines 155-156)
• Albert’s vs Ma’s ability in making pratas
• Albert’s vs Ma’s ability in parenting (see line 158 onwards)
Quad 4 Theme of love & respect:
Where does Albert’s sense of self-worth/respect come from?
How does this affect his relationship with his son Ben?
Scene 2
Lines 188-204 (end of scene)

Quad 1: • Take note of Albert saying “I’m sorry, Ben.” How does Ben respond?
• Highlight what you feel striking about the stage directions from:
- 195-199
- 201-204
Quad 2: • What is Albert apologising to Ben for?
• What can you infer from Ben’s response? What message is he trying to convey to his
father?
• 195-199: What can you infer about Albert’s actions? Why does he not reveal
anything in the end?
• 201-244: What can you infer about Albert’s behaviour?
Quad 3: Symbol of the prata dough and Albert’s actions at the end of the scene

Quad 4 Love & Respect:

What message is Ben trying to convey to his father?
How are Albert’s insecurities affecting his relationship with his son ?
Scene 3
Scene 3
Lines 229-243
Quad 1: • Lines 229-232: What is Ben so worried about? What does Albert not understand
about Ben’s worry?
• Lines 234-238: What is Ben so frustrated about? What does Albert not understand
about his frustrations?
• Lines 239-243: Why is Ben upset at Albert? What does he accuse Albert of?
Quad 2: • Lines 229-232: What can you infer about Ben’s relationship with Ma? What does
Albert not understand about this relationship?
• Lines 234-243: What does Ben want from Albert? Why is it so difficult for Albert to
give Ben what he wants?
Quad 3: • Use of punctuations e.g. exclamation marks (!) and ellipses (…) to show characters’
emotions
Quad 4 • Theme of Love & Respect:
- Ben’s relationship with Ma vs. Albert’s relationship with Ma?
- How are they coping with her absence?
Scene 3
Lines 244-258
Quad 1: • What does Albert observe about Ben’s behaviour? Who does it remind Albert of?
• What conclusion does Albert arrive at about himself and Ma?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Ben’s relationship with Ma based on his behaviour?
• How does Albert’s observation of Ben fuel his insecurity about himself?
• How does Albert’s comparison with Ma affect his relationship with Ben?
Quad 3: • Use of ellipses (…) in Ben’s and Albert’s conversation

Quad 4 How is Ben’s attitude towards Ma different from Albert’s? Why?

Scene 3
Lines 259-266
Quad 1: • 259-264: Highlight what strikes you about what Ben says to Albert.
• 265-266: Highlight what strikes you about the stage directions. (How does Ben
respond to Albert’s question? How does Albert react?)

Quad 2: • 259-264:
- What message is Ben trying to tell Albert but is unable to?
• 265-266:
- Why isn’t Ben able to answer Albert’s question?
- What are Albert’s worst fears?
Quad 3: • 265-266: Diction: use of the word “defeated”

Quad 4 Love & Respect:

• How is Albert’s level of self-respect affected by what Ben thinks of him?
• What is Albert unable to see about himself that Ben is able to?
Scene 3
Lines 267-278 (end of scene)
Quad 1: • 267-273: What strikes you about what Albert says to Ben?
• 274-277
Quad 2: • 267-273: What can you infer about how Albert feels as Ben’s father? Why is he
apologising to Ben?
• 274-277: What is Ben trying to say to Albert?

Quad 3: • 267-273: effect of repetition: “I can’t”, “I don’t”

• 274-277: repetition of “Pa…”
Quad 4 Love & Respect/Loss:
• How does Ma’s absence affect Albert’s perception of his role as a father?
• How does his lack of self-respect affect his relationship with Ben?
Scene 4
Scene 4
Lines 279-282 (Setting)
Quad 1: • What strikes you about the setting of the scene?

Quad 2: • What can you infer from the evidence from the setting?

Quad 3: • Symbolism of pratas

Quad 4 -
Scene 4
Lines 288-295
Quad 1: • Who did Albert invite over for dinner?
• What is so special about the dinner?
• Why did Albert set a unique dinner for Ben?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Albert’s attitude towards Ma?
• How is this different from the other 3 scenes?

Quad 3: • Symbolism of the pratas that Albert made (line 295)

Quad 4 -
Scene 4
Lines 288-295
Quad 1: • Who did Albert invite over for dinner?
• What is so special about the dinner?
• Why did Albert set a unique dinner for Ben?
• What do you observe about Albert’s behaviour?
Quad 2: • What can you infer about Albert’s attitude towards Ma?
• How is this different from the other 3 scenes?

Quad 3: • Symbolism of the pratas that Albert made (line 295)

Quad 4 -
Scene 4
Lines 296-300
Quad 1: • How do both father and son treat the pratas?

Quad 2: • How do you think they have treated the pratas in a manner that is described in Quad
1?

Quad 3: • Diction: what words/phrases describe how Albert and Ben treat the pratas? Why is
the significance?
• Symbolism: What do the pratas symbolise?
Quad 4 -
Scene 4
Lines 305-323
Quad 1: • What does Ben feel Albert has taught him?
• What has Ben noticed about Albert?
Quad 2: • What is Ben trying to tell his father?

Quad 3: -

Quad 4 -
Scene 4
Lines 324-334 (end of scene)
Quad 1: What strikes you about what Ben says to his father?

Quad 2: What message is Ben trying to convey to Albert?

Quad 3: Diction: meaning of the word “perfect”

Symbolism of pratas (in relation to the rest of the play)
Quad 4 Significance of the ending:
Ben’s and Albert’s relationship compared to the rest of the play
What does Albert eventually realise about his role as Ben’s father?