Genre
Drama
Language
English
Setting and Context
This play is set in a detention facility in New York.
Narrator and Point of View
Arguably the play is written from Clark's point of view as a new inmate.
Tone and Mood
The play is shocking and emotional in tone.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Clark is arguably the protagonist and antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is Clark's navigation through the prison system.
Climax
The climax of the play is when Clark is killed by the other inmates.
Foreshadowing
Mr. Nett ironically foreshadows the later violence when he says that his block is the most peaceful.
Understatement
Pinero suggests that people might understate how similar the outer-world is to the world inside a prison.
Allusions
The play alludes to religious themes, especially through the character of El Raheem.
Imagery
Imagery is used to describe Cupcake's first Christmas in prison: "like a dirty dog... in a dark and dingy cell."
Paradox
Clark is guilty of many crimes, as he admits to Juan; however, the legal system cannot find him guilty due to a lack of evidence.
Parallelism
Juan and Clark are paralleled with one another, as they both have a very different moral compass.
Personification
N/A
Use of Dramatic Devices
N/A
