Mortimer (First Grade Orff Lesson)

Summary

In this humorous and engaging script from *Mortimer* by Robert Munsch, a young boy named Mortimer causes chaos by making loud noises long into the night. His mother, father, and 17 siblings all attempt to quiet him, but he continues to shake his head and refuse to comply. Eventually, even the police are called, but Mortimer’s defiance only grows. The situation escalates as Mortimer’s family gets more and more upset, while Mortimer, undeterred, falls asleep amidst the confusion. The story highlights the contrast between the child's playful defiance and the growing frustration of his family.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script is a playful performance of 'Mortimer' by first graders, emphasizing the use of high and low notes in music.
• 😀 Mortimer's mother tries to put him to bed, but he causes a disturbance, shaking his head in refusal at each intervention.
• 😀 Mortimer's father comes upstairs in response to the noise, but Mortimer again refuses to comply, shaking his head.
• 😀 Mortimer's 17 siblings also react to the noise, coming upstairs to shout at him, but he continues to shake his head.
• 😀 The escalating noise causes the family to call the police, with two policemen arriving slowly, also trying to stop Mortimer's behavior.
• 😀 The policemen, using a formal tone, attempt to quiet Mortimer, but he again shakes his head in defiance.
• 😀 The conflict grows as Mortimer's parents argue with the policemen, and the siblings argue among themselves.
• 😀 While everyone is arguing downstairs, Mortimer becomes so tired that he falls asleep in his room.
• 😀 The performance highlights the humorous and chaotic nature of Mortimer's refusal to cooperate with authority.
• 😀 The script uses repetition of Mortimer shaking his head and the escalating reactions from family members and police to create comedic tension.
• 😀 The playful interaction teaches children the dynamics of sound, rhythm, and how music can express different emotions and situations.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the script?

The central theme is Mortimer's disruptive behavior, which creates a chain reaction of escalating interventions from his family and the police, all leading to an absurd, humorous resolution where Mortimer simply falls asleep.

How does the script portray Mortimer's character?

Mortimer is portrayed as a playful and innocent child whose loud behavior creates chaos. His actions are not malicious but lead to exaggerated reactions from the adults around him, highlighting the comedic nature of the situation.

Why does the author use repetition in the script?

Repetition is used to emphasize the escalating nature of the situation. Each time a family member or authority figure comes to silence Mortimer, the process is repeated, showing how the problem becomes more exaggerated and humorous.

What role does music and applause play in the script?

The music and applause serve to highlight the comedic timing of the script, emphasizing moments of tension or absurdity and adding energy to the performance, particularly during key moments of escalation.

How do the adults react to Mortimer's behavior?

The adults, including Mortimer's mother and father, react with increasing frustration and attempts to discipline him, but none of their interventions are effective. Their reactions add to the humor as they fail to resolve the situation.

What is the significance of the police being called?

The police being called adds an absurd layer to the situation. It shows how the family's overreaction to Mortimer's behavior spirals out of control, making the conflict seem more serious than it actually is, and adding humor through its absurdity.

What does Mortimer's final action (falling asleep) suggest?

Mortimer falling asleep after all the chaos suggests his innocence and the futility of the adults' attempts to control him. It implies that he was either tired or unaffected by the escalating drama, highlighting the contrast between the serious reactions of the adults and Mortimer's carefree nature.

How does the script illustrate the relationship between Mortimer and his family?

The script shows that Mortimer's family is both concerned and frustrated by his behavior. Their repeated attempts to silence him, despite the lack of success, indicate a complex dynamic where the family is trying to maintain order but struggles to do so.

Why does the script use the phrase 'Mortimer shook his head' multiple times?

The phrase 'Mortimer shook his head' is repeated to emphasize that Mortimer remains indifferent to the interventions. It underscores his stubbornness or lack of awareness of the disruption he is causing, reinforcing the humorous aspect of the story.

What impact does the escalating tension have on the audience?

The escalating tension, through the involvement of multiple family members and the police, builds suspense and creates anticipation for the resolution. The audience is likely to find the absurdity of the situation funny, especially as it grows more ridiculous with each intervention.