Different social
classes can be
shown by the
characters
speech patterns
LIterary Genre
The Plough and the Stars
Described as a 'tragedy in four
acts'
A tragi-comedy
which combines
elements of both
tragedy and
comedy without
belonging fully to
either genre
O'Casey shares the
views of various
classes of people
who were in the
country at the time
of the Easter Rising
through skillfully
created characters
The use of irony
contributes to the
comedy e.g. when
Bessie and Gogan
defend their ideals but
proceed to join the
forces when looting
commences
There is no single plot
but rather
developments
structured around the
themes concerning the
clash of opposing
ideals
Authenticity of the
characters is shown
by the famous Dublin
dialect which is
shown very well by
O'Casey in this play
e.g. adding
unnecessary s's and
words like shutterin'
and thwartin'
The KIng's Speech
Based on factual
historical events as
opposed to O'Casey's
fictional depiction of a
historical event