Oakentubb. The murder would not have been taken place. She hides the label so that the man

In the

Waiting room could not see it.

Q. 2: At what point in the play do we become certain that the man knows that the woman in the

Waiting

Room is Mrs. Oakentubb? When, in fact, do you think he discovered her identity?

Ans. The conversation of the man shows it that he had come to know that the lady in the waiting

room was

Mrs. Oakentubb. He had read the label.

Q. 3: When is the audience likely to begin to suspect that she might be Mrs. Oakentubb?

Ans. The audience begins to suspect that she might be Mrs. Oakentubb when she goes on defending

the lady

And pretends that she was sorry for the accident.

Q. 4: What motive has the man for murdering her?

Ans. She has killed his wife and daughter of the man. The man intends to kill her.

Q. 5: In this little melodrama, the author keeps on building up the tension, then relaxing it, until the

final moment of tension when the murder is done. Briefly describe the chief moments of

tension and what follows after each one ?

Ans. The first moment of tension comes when he describes the death of his wife and daughter in an

accident and speaks of his Intention to kill her. The second moment of intention is when he

takes out the revolver and tells her that he was going to Shoot her. The last moment of tension

is when he comes back, opens the door, takes out the revolver and shoots her dead.

Q. 6: Why, in your opinion, does the author make the porter a humorous character?

Ans. The author makes the porter a humorous character in order to relieve the tension which

pervades the whole play.

Q. 7: Suspense is an important element in a thriller. Briefly show how the author keeps the audience

in suspense for the answers to tow questions will he find out who she is? Will he kill her?

Ans. The author keeps the audience in suspense. The audience is unaware that the man knows the

woman. Her murder is also delayed.

Q. 8: Write a brief character sketch of Mrs. Oakentubb?

Ans. Mrs. Oakentubb is an ordinary woman. She is very beautiful and clever. She has no regard

for others and will do anything to gain an advantage. She tells lies and pretends to feel

remorse.

Q. 9: Write a brief character sketch of the porter?

Ans. The porter is an old man. He is very dutiful man. When the lady comes in the room, he

removes the darkness. He lights fire for her. He asks her to warm herself. Though it is rainy

and windy night, yet he performs his duty. He feels joy in providing comforts to the

passengers. He has a sense of humour.

Q. 10: Briefly discuss whether the play would have had a satisfying ending if the man had not come

back through the door, seen Mrs. Oakentubb’s vulgar and impenitent gesture and shot her –

that is to say if it had ended in Mrs. Oakentubb’s collapsing with genuine remorse and the

man’s decision that he would be adequately revenged if she went on living?

Ans. The play would have had a more satisfying ending if the man had not killed Mrs. Oakentubb.

if it had ended in Mrs. Oakentubb’a real remorse.

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MANSOOR ALI SHAH.