Page 4: Jenny's Character Evolution

This page details the evolution of Jenny's character throughout "The Shape of Things", focusing on her changing feelings and relationships.

At the beginning of the play, Jenny is described as being in a happy relationship with Phillip, her fiancé. However, as the story progresses, Jenny's insecurities about their relationship grow:

Quote: "Now, I love him and all, I do, you know that, but that's not the way I'd describe him to people. 'Sweet'. Would you?" / "And that's what's bugging me" (p.31/32)

This quote reveals Jenny's doubts about her feelings for Phillip and her growing dissatisfaction with their relationship.

Jenny's insecurity extends to comparisons with Evelyn:

Quote: "So...sorry I'm not an artsy person or cool enough or, you know, I'm not super smart, sorry about that" (p.61)

This self-deprecating statement shows Jenny's feelings of inadequacy when compared to Evelyn, whom she perceives as more sophisticated and interesting.

A significant turning point in Jenny's character development is her growing fascination with Adam's transformation and her eventual infidelity:

Highlight: Jenny is fascinated about all the changes Adam is going through.

This fascination leads to a pivotal moment in the play:

Highlight: Cheats on her fiancé with Adam (they kiss).

This act of infidelity marks a crucial change in Jenny's character and sets in motion a series of events that affect all the relationships in the play.

Page 7: The Park Scene - Phillip's Reaction

This page examines Phillip's response to the events in the park scene of "The Shape of Things", revealing how Jenny's actions indirectly affect his character development.

Phillip's initial reaction to Jenny and Adam's kiss is anger:

Quote: "I was pissed off, but, I mean...No call for that 'eye for an eye' shit" (p.65)

This quote shows Phillip's disapproval of Evelyn's retaliatory kiss, suggesting a more mature approach to the situation than might be expected.

The kiss between Jenny and Adam leads Phillip to reevaluate his readiness for marriage:

Quote: "You did me a favor, really... Too young to get hitched" (p.65)

This statement reveals that Phillip sees the incident as a catalyst for positive change in his life, allowing him to avoid a potentially premature marriage.

Highlight: The kiss is his way out of the marriage.

This insight suggests that Phillip may have been looking for an excuse to end his engagement to Jenny, adding complexity to their relationship dynamic in the play.

Page 8: The Park Scene - Jenny's Transformation

The final page focuses on Jenny's transformation during the park scene in "The Shape of Things", highlighting how her actions and realizations lead to significant changes in her character and relationships.

The kiss between Jenny and Adam serves as a turning point for Jenny's character:

Quote: "Right. I've wanted to do that for a long time...Three years..."

This confession reveals that Jenny has harbored feelings for Adam for an extended period, adding depth to her character and explaining her fascination with his transformation.

Highlight: She recognizes her feelings for Adam through the kiss.

This realization marks a significant shift in Jenny's character arc, as she acknowledges her true emotions and acts on them despite the potential consequences.

The page emphasizes that Jenny's attraction to Adam is linked to his personal changes:

Highlight: She changes because she falls for him --> because he has changed; and became lovely.

This connection between Adam's transformation and Jenny's feelings for him underscores the play's themes of personal change and the malleability of identity.

The park scene serves as the climax of Jenny's character development in "The Shape of Things", bringing her internal conflicts and desires to the forefront and setting the stage for the resolution of her relationships with both Phillip and Adam.