Part 90 (1/2)

scene with the Young Hajji kicks him off the seat and resumes his Beggar is postponed old place.

until after the Caliph Young Beggar slinks away.

and Marsinah leave. Scarcely is Hajji seated when the Sultan Altered when the play enters on his white donkey with a torch-light was written.] procession.

The Sultan dismounts and knocks at the Mosque.

The Mosque is opened by the Priest.

The Priest, when he learns it is the Sultan, brings out Zira to him.

The Sultan reveals himself in a verse to Zira.

Zira replies in a rhyme.

The Sultan conducts Zira to a litter.

He re-mounts his donkey.

The procession moves past Hajji.

Hajji stretches out his hand for alms, veiling his face.

The procession disappears. The street grows dark again.

The Mosque is shut.

Hajji is left alone in the moonlight.

He draws out the old gourd from behind the stone seat.

A line of philosophy summing up his day.

Something, perhaps, on ”life and water.”

He drinks his fill, puts the gourd away, leans back, and goes to sleep, breathing regularly._

_Curtain_[16]

Does not this careful scenario make very clear what are the steps in good scenario writing? First comes structure,--ordering for clearness and correct emphasis in the story-telling. Then, with the scenario kept flexible and subject to change till the last possible moment, come many changes big and little, for better characterization and more atmosphere--see pp. 461-463.

Finally, more than anything else, as the author puts last touches to his scenario, or revises the play he has written from it, he scans its details in relation to the probable att.i.tude toward them of his public.

In the relation of that public to his subject and his treatment of it lie the most difficult problems of the dramatist. Solving them means the difference between the will to conquer and victory.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] _Letters of Henrik Ibsen_, p. 325. For a similar outline see that on _Faste_, p. 151.

[2] _The Green Book Magazine_, February, 1914.

[3] See pp. 276-278.

[4] See Kismet Scenario, pp. 474-507.

[5] Samuel French, publisher. New York.

[6] Samuel French, publisher, New York.

[7] Samuel French, publisher, New York.

[8] Samuel French, publisher, New York.