A Number Caryl Churchill Pdf File
A Critical Review of Caryl Churchill's "A Number"
Briefly summarize the play: A father (Salter) discovers his son (Bernard) is one of many clones created illegally from his own cells. Thesis Statement: Argue that uses the concept of cloning to explore the tension between nature vs. nurture fragility of identity moral responsibilities of fatherhood. 2. Body Paragraph 1: Nature vs. Nurture The Three Bernards: A Number Caryl Churchill Pdf
SALTER: They said it was the same as a twin, just different time. BERNARD 2: A twin’s a brother. SALTER: They said it was like a twin. BERNARD 2: But I’m not a twin. I’m him. You had him and you had me. Except that he’s me. A Critical Review of Caryl Churchill's "A Number"
Bernard 1 (B1): The original son, now a volatile man haunted by his father’s abandonment and the knowledge of his "replacement". Nick Hern Books (UK) : Offers a digital
Churchill's use of language is poetic and evocative, and she employs a range of techniques, including repetition, rhyme, and imagery. The play's dialogue is naturalistic and nuanced, and the characters' conversations are infused with a sense of emotional truth.
- Nick Hern Books (UK): Offers a digital ebook edition (ePub/PDF for personal use).
- Theatre Communications Group (US): Sells the play in paperback; digital licenses for institutions may be available through academic platforms.
The play is structured as a series of five scenes between a father, Salter, and three of his sons, all played by the same actor. Salter initially claims he commissioned a single clone to replace his "original" son, who supposedly died in a car accident. However, it is revealed that his original son, Bernard (B1), is actually alive and was abandoned in residential care. Furthermore, a hospital "error" resulted in the creation of a "number" of clones—twenty-one in total—without Salter's knowledge. The play follows Salter’s interactions with:
Citation (MLA format) Churchill, Caryl. A Number. Nick Hern Books, 2002.