Twitter/IRL 1: The Controversial Tweet
The play opens with a tweet about Kylie Jenner becoming the youngest self-made billionaire, which prompts Cleo to tweet methods of killing Kylie. This controversial action sets the stage for the entire narrative. The scene then shifts to real life, where Kara is in Cleo's room, criticizing her for the provocative tweets. Cleo expresses frustration over racial topics, highlighting the underlying themes of the play.
Highlight: The juxtaposition of online and offline interactions becomes a central element of the play's structure.
Quote: "Cleo tweets methods of killing Kylie"
Twitterlude 1: Public Reaction
The first twitterlude showcases the public's initial reaction to Cleo's tweets. People make fun of her posts, creating memes and not taking the situation seriously. This section illustrates the often flippant nature of social media responses to controversial statements.
Definition: Twitterlude - A term used in the play to describe interludes that showcase Twitter interactions and reactions.
IRL Conversation: Defending the Tweets
In this real-life interaction, Kara mocks Cleo for her tweets, but Cleo insists on being taken seriously. She explains how calling Kylie Jenner a self-made billionaire ignores black history, revealing the deeper motivations behind her provocative online behavior. Cleo implies her intention to continue tweeting about killing Kylie Jenner, setting up the ongoing conflict of the play.
Highlight: Cleo's explanation provides insight into the racial and historical context of her actions.
Twitterlude 2: Escalating Mockery
The second twitterlude shows an escalation in public response. People begin calling Cleo crazy and a "Social Justice Warrior" (SJW), demonstrating how online discourse can quickly turn hostile and dismissive of serious issues.
IRL Debate: Methods and Morality
This section delves deeper into the characters' perspectives. Cleo introduces her second method of killing Kylie Jenner: death by drowning. Kara attempts to reason with Cleo, referencing Martin Luther King Jr. to advocate for dealing with injustice with dignity. The conversation then shifts to Cleo's personal life, revealing a recent breakup and discussing her relationships and sexual desires. Kara suggests that Cleo's Twitter tirade might be a result of her relationship problems, particularly her ex being with a white woman.
Example: Kara's reference to MLK exemplifies how historical figures are often invoked in discussions about modern activism.
Highlight: The play intertwines personal relationships with broader social issues, adding depth to the characters' motivations.
Twitterlude 3: Escalating Controversy
Cleo tweets her third method: skinning, fantasizing about wearing Kylie's skin as "whiteface." This provocative imagery leads to more severe public reactions, with people calling Cleo mentally ill and making racist remarks. Some users express a desire to follow her tweets for the drama, showcasing the spectacle-driven nature of social media.
Vocabulary: Whiteface - A theatrical practice where a person of color applies makeup to appear white, often used as commentary on racial issues.
IRL Confrontation: Colorism and Personal History
This section presents a heated exchange between Cleo and Kara, touching on themes of colorism and personal experiences. Cleo accuses Kara of gaslighting her and argues that Kara can't fully understand her situation due to having lighter skin. The conversation reveals deep-seated resentments and experiences from their shared past, highlighting how colorism affects relationships within the Black community.
Definition: Colorism - Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with darker skin tones, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.
Quote: "Cleo tells Kara that she can't understand her situation because she is light skinned"
Twitterlude 4: Racist Backlash
The fourth twitterlude shows a significant escalation in the online response. Cleo tweets about "death by immolation" as her fifth method, leading to an increase in racist comments and imagery posted under her tweets. This section illustrates the potential for online discussions to attract hate speech and discrimination.
IRL Reaction: Past Trauma and #Wiggate
Kara expresses shock at the racist comments on Cleo's posts. The conversation then shifts to a past incident referred to as #wiggate, where Cleo was humiliated and assaulted at a party when they were 16. This revelation provides context for the tension in their friendship and Cleo's current actions.
Vocabulary: Gaslighting - A form of psychological manipulation in which a person or group causes someone to question their own sanity, perception, or memory.
Twitterlude 5: Media Attention
The fifth twitterlude presents various news headlines in different languages reporting on Cleo's thread about killing Kylie Jenner. This section demonstrates how quickly controversial social media posts can gain international attention.
Final Sections: Identity Revelation and Consequences
The play's conclusion interweaves Twitter interactions with real-life conversations. People online call for Cleo's real identity to be revealed, and old tweets resurface, leading to accusations of homophobia. Kara urges Cleo to delete her account, revealing past tensions related to Cleo's reaction when Kara came out. The situation escalates as Cleo's identity is discovered, leading to a mash-up of online and offline interactions.
Highlight: The play's structure becomes more chaotic in these final sections, mirroring the blurring of online and offline consequences.
The play concludes with "method 7: death by displacement" and a reference to Saartjie Baartman, also known as the "Hottentot Venus," connecting the narrative to historical exploitation of Black women's bodies. The Seven methods of killing Kylie Jenner ends with a powerful fourth wall break, directly engaging the audience with the themes explored throughout the play.
Example: The reference to Saartjie Baartman provides historical context to the play's exploration of the exploitation and objectification of Black women.
This Seven methods of killing kylie jenner Zusammenfassung offers a comprehensive overview of the play's structure, themes, and character dynamics, making it valuable Seven methods of killing kylie jenner Unterrichtsmaterial for students and educators alike.
