_Initial Impulse_: The need for a “grandfather” motivates the search
of Verba and Offutt. (A search, a type of “chase,” serves for a
strong story-backbone.)
_Steps to the Dramatic Climax_: 1. The cab-ride to Bateman’s old
haunts. 2. Finding the Scudder theatre closed. 3. The visit to
the wine-shop; the clerk’s account of Bateman. 4. The ragged boy
volunteers information. 5. He leads them to the side entrance of the
theatre, into the gloom and decay of which they make their way.
_Dramatic Climax_: The urchin whistles; the curtain rolls up; old
Bateman appears. The search is now at an end. Bateman is found.
The new cause of suspense lies in curiosity over ensuing events.
To satisfy this curiosity, the author extends the dramatic climax
moment. The whole scene at the theatre is a prolonged climax,
gradually revealing the old man’s unfitness, even as it soars to a
higher emotional climax. The story structure may be roughly indicated
by the diagram:
S
Q / \
O / \ / \
M / \ / R \
/ \ / P \
J / N \
/ \/ \
/ K \
G Z
E / \
C / \/ H
A__ / \ / F
B D
That is, if M represents the dramatic climax moment, then MS
represents the dramatic climax scene, which is the period of
Bateman’s acting three parts. With S, comes the realization that
Bateman is not in his “perfect mind.” Notice the impeccable
workmanship by which this recognition is forced home to Verba in the
last speech of Bateman, the lines from “King Lear.” SZ is the brief
drop to the climax of action. See the story for details.
_Climax of Action_: The two men leave Bateman taking his curtain call.
CHARACTERIZATION. Why are the insignificant actors and actresses
mentioned in the introduction? What is the particular literary value
of Grainger? What outstanding characteristics has Bateman which none
of the others possess? What value has the title in connection with the
characters as a group?
How has Mr. Cobb individualized Verba and Offutt? To which means
of characterization is he most partial--author’s description, the
character’s own acts and speeches, or what others think and say of him?
Of the urchin who piloted the searchers, what is the first detail you
recall? What other characters of Mr. Cobb do you remember from some
physical peculiarity which he has emphasized?
Bateman is first presented to the reader through the opinion of Verba.
Next, he is shown through the wine-shop clerk (who gives the effective
clue as to Bateman’s “dippiness”). Then, the ragged urchin volunteers
his contribution. What prepossessing characteristic does the reader
receive from him? Finally, the actor speaks for himself. One part would
be insufficient; it would be “too easy”; therefore by the cumulative
method Mr. Cobb lets the old man show beyond a doubt that he is not
a type, but an actor. Dundreary, the Frenchman and King Lear require
varied ability.
Notice that what the character _does_ is the climactic portrayal--not
what others say about him or what the author might portray.
DETAILS. Point out the clues to Bateman’s insanity. Study Mr. Cobb’s
figures of speech. He frequently uses the human body as a basis for
comparison (see, for example, page 85: “Its stucco facings, shining
dimly like a row of teeth ...” and page 97: “the mouth of the place
was muzzled with iron, like an Elizabethan shrew’s”). Why is such a
basis conducive to vividness for everybody?
What is the acting time of the story?
What is the significance of the contrast between the modern play, as
represented in the selections (pages 88 and 89), and the masterpieces
suggested in the latter part of the story.
* * * * *
Irvin Cobb never writes a story until he has worked it over in his own
mind for a couple of months. At the same time, a hundred new ideas
are developing; and as he himself says he will not live long enough
to write all his stories. A year before he wrote “The Belled Buzzard”
he was visiting with Mrs. Cobb at her old home in Georgia. They were
sitting on a front porch one morning when a huge buzzard flew past. Mr.
Cobb recalled a Southern story about a belled buzzard, and remarked
that he guessed he would weave a plot round it. Just one year later, he
finished the developing and wrote the story.