WHILE THE AUTO WAITS

BY O. HENRY
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY WALTER WYKES
Clues:
1. A division or unit of a
drama
2. A dramatic
performance
3. The simplest or
essential parts
4. The most exciting
and important part of a
play
5. The part of the
story‘s plot line in which
the problem of the
story is resolved
Clues:
1. Place where the story
happened
2. Platform on which the
actors perform
3. People involved in the
story 4. Words/Lines the
characters say in a story,
movie, play, etc.
TASK 2: THE GREAT PRETENDERS

Have you ever been tempted to

pretend that you were someone else?

In this activity, impersonate the

following local personalities.
Or any other
known
personalities
that you
want to
imitate/
impersonate!
1. How does it feel to pretend that
you were someone else?

2. Would you rather be the person

you impersonated or the person
that you are now?
TASK 3: READING CORNER

1. Who met at the park? Describe how the characters

reacted on their first meeting.
2. What do you think are the intentions of the characters
for not revealing their true status in life?
3. Would you consider the situations of the characters a
―white lie?‖ Why or why not?
4. What does the last scene of the story tell us about the
young man?
5. If you were the author, how would you end the play?
TASK 4: PLAY IN PROCESS-Story Grammar
Complete the story grammar below by writing the details about the play, While the Auto Waits.
TASK 4: Character Analysis
Fill out the character analysis sketch to give characterization to the characters of
the play, While the Auto Waits.
TASK 4: Plot Diagram
1920s
Hiding the truth
TASK 3: READING CORNER - GROUP

1. Where did the story happen? City Park

2. What was the name of the young man who
has been hovering nearby? Mr. Parkenstacker
3. What was the name of the girl? What was she
doing on a bench? Mary-Jane Parker; sits alone, reading a book
4. What was the job told by the young man to
the girl? Cashier
5. What hangs over the girl's face? Large-meshed veil
TASK 3: READING CORNER

6. Who did suddenly approach the girl, wearing a

soiled dirty uniform? Waitress
7. How long did the girl and the waitress know each
other? Three years
8. What was the name of the young man's
chauffeur? Henri
9. Who wereMary-Jane,
the characters in the story?
Mr. Parkenstacker, waitress, Henri
10. Would you consider the situations of the
characters a white lie? Why? Why not?
TASK 3: READING CORNER
11. If you were Mary Jane/ Parkenstacker, would you
do the same? Why? Or Why not? (Each member
must have an answer)

12. Would you rather be another person or the

person that you are now? Why? Or Why not? (Each
member must have an answer)

13. What is the moral of story?

 What is a
one-act play?
Clues:
1. A division or unit of a
drama
2. A dramatic
performance
3. The simplest or
essential parts
4. The most exciting
and important part of a
play
5. The part of the
story‘s plot line in which
the problem of the
story is resolved
A one-act play is a play
with only one act. An
act is a part of a play
defined by elements
such as rising action,
climax, and resolution.
 What are some of
the technical
vocabulary for
drama and theater?
 Clues:
1. Place where the story
happened
2. Platform on which the
SETTING STAGE actors perform
3. People involved in the
story
4. Words/Lines the
characters say in a story,
CHARACTERS DIALOGUE movie, play, etc.
TASK 5: WRITING YOUR OWN – PAIR ACTIVITY
A one-act play usually has a small number of characters who are a part of the
story. Use what you have learned in this lesson and draw up a cast of characters
for a show that you watch regularly. Here are the steps:
Identify the show and write the cast of characters. List the
characters in their approximate order of importance. List only
the characters that appear regularly.
For each character on the cast list, write no more than two
sentences describing him or her. Be sure to mention the
character‘s most striking characteristics – both good and bad.
Exchange your cast list with a classmate who watches the
same show. Ask if your classmate agrees with your choice of
characters and their descriptions. If not, work together to
decide how to improve your list.
TASK 6: WRITING A CHARACTER SKETCH – INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY
Can you draw your friend in words? Write a character sketch for
someone you know. It could be a friend, family member, or anybody you
know well. Do this in 1 whole sheet of pad paper. Here‘s a list of things
to include in your character sketch.
 Opening – Introduce the topic (your friend).
 Explain how you met.
 Give a physical description – appearance, clothes, voice, habits,
mannerisms, etc.
 Personality trait #1, and supporting evidence
 Personality trait #2, and supporting evidence
 Personality trait #3, and supporting evidence
 Closing comment – Try to reconnect to your friend.
SAMPLE CHARACTER SKETCH ON P. 369 (ENGLISH BOOK)