Question

i am american by jennifer tibbets (gretchen schriver enters left and walks down left. silhouettes congregate up right and throughout the speech slowly spread out across the back of the stage, legs and arms spread wide to represent the prairie.) gretchen schriver: i am american. in 1885 my family left the newly united germany. it was the industrial revolution and machines were replacing people. my family was no longer needed. america was still wide open, though. they entered through galveston, texas, and eventually made their way up the mississippi river to milwaukee. they farmed. they took all that land, that prairie grass waving mile after mile, and started turning it into the infamous bread basket. they built churches and music halls, and, well, they really settled into america. use the passage below to answer the question. how does the dramatic structure present an image of the prairie? (1 point) lyrical spoken language evokes a figurative impression. speech and gestures combine to suggest a general impression. gestures and scenery create a detailed literal representation. set design stages a vivid backdrop for the unfolding action. i am american, by jennifer tibbets © this play is reprinted from plays, the drama magazine for young people with the permission of the publisher plays/sterling partners inc. 897

Explanation:

To answer this, we analyze the dramatic structure details: the passage says "SILHOUETTES congregate up right... legs and arms spread wide to represent the prairie" (gestures) and there's speech by Gretchen. Let's evaluate each option:

• Option 1: The passage focuses on gestures (silhouettes' movements) and speech, not just lyrical spoken language. Eliminate.
• Option 2: The silhouettes' gestures (spreading legs/arms) and Gretchen's speech (talking about the prairie) combine. This matches as gestures (silhouettes) and speech work together to give a general impression of the prairie.
• Option 3: It's not a "detailed literal representation"—silhouettes spreading arms/legs is symbolic, not a detailed, literal depiction of the prairie (like showing specific prairie plants, etc.). Eliminate.
• Option 4: The passage mentions silhouettes (gestures) but no detailed set design description (like a painted prairie backdrop). The focus is on gestures and speech, not set design as the main way. Eliminate.

Answer:

Speech and gestures combine to suggest a general impression.