Benjamin Hunsdorfer - have fun reading!

Benjamin Hunsdorfer

Age: 47

Address: Staten Island

Occupation: Waiter

Social Status: Friendless, no social life after work

Other Facts: Heavy drinker, head of the house, mistreated by his boss, no communication with co-workers, takes care of a lodger called Nanny

Character: bossy, rude and abrasive, eyes burning with rage, slightly violent, pessimistic, touchy, hateful, tortured, insensitive, loud and arrogant.

Childhood History:

Born in Staten Island into a rich family in 1922, Benjamin grew up with an abusive father, Fred, and a beautiful, loving mother, Grace. As many times as he stepped out of line, Benjamin was trashed by Fred, who often used a belt, before Grace came to intervene. Benjamin was psychologically damaged, which led to his strange behaviour in school to seek attention. Fred frequently called him a “bum”, even though Benjamin tried as hard as he could to please. Benjamin didn't do well in studies, partly due to his unstable home, which contributed to more beatings, worsening his studies further. This resulted in an endless cycle until his father suffered a heart attack when Benjamin was 16. Fred had three bad habits that led to his death: Over-eating, smoking, and drinking. Benjamin reluctantly turned up at his funeral and spat on his grave before being carried away by the relatives, who later judged and scolded him on his rudeness. His mother kept silent. It was then that Benjamin finally lost faith in people and the world in general. Benjamin found a job as a dealer in a casino at 22 and sent Grace to a home.

Family History:

It was during this time Benjamin picked up drinking. He favoured the bar across the street, where he met Paulina. Benjamin liked her flirtatious nature and in 1950 they were married. Benjamin was 28 and Paulina was 23. Paulina gave birth to Ruth in 1951 and Matthew in 1952. However, their love did not last for long. Paulina stopped flirting and started becoming a nagging housewife while Benjamin’s age was causing his charm and beauty to fade, which later cost him his job. Arguments became more frequent and Benjamin’s patience could stand for it no longer. In 1962 he cracked when Paulina called him a “useless piece of shit” and punched her in the face. Paulina felt so distraught and trapped that she committed suicide, thinking that death was the only option. Benjamin was so shocked that he started drinking even more. To pay for his alcohol and his two children, Benjamin took up a job as a waiter. Benjamin became unstable due to his excessive drinking, turning into the same character as the father he so despised.

View of Matthew and Ruth:

Benjamin loves both his children but is incapable of showing it. He is proud of Matthew for accomplishing something and being good at science but is rather annoyed at his lack of initiative and quietness. He hates the fact that Ruth is not doing well at school and that she doesn’t seem to care about it. He feels that Ruth is merely a flirt and is useless, wishing that she would take the important things more seriously. His dissatisfaction with Ruth is the root of all the arguments he has with her.

Line-by-line analysis

Line #	Change of movement, feelings and motivation
186	-Sitting down, head facing downwards -Anguish, hatred building inside -I want to tell the principle just what I think about him and everyone else
187	-Head looks to the center, moves forward at the word “off” -Dissatisfaction added to feelings -I don’t care if he’s on stage, I want to talk to him
188a	-Fists clench at “none”, starts to stand at “of your”, finger points at phone and voice is much louder at “fucking business”, hand moves down at “who” -Anger, rage, disgust -I am appalled that they ask for my identity and I want to make it clear.
188b	-Back straightens, facial expression less intense -Reluctant acceptance -I am disappointed but I still need to say something
189	-Starts pacing and adding sarcastic tone, mouth opens wider at the “and”s -Satisfied, hatred still building -I want to act happier to imply my inner disgust for the school
190	-Sarcasm and pacing stops and shouts with head facing the phone at “for”, turns and looks up at “would”, turns and looks slightly downwards at “thank”. Slams phone, takes drink, ignores telephone ringing, and dials another number. -Hatred bursts, feels empty afterwards, hatred slowly starts building again -I finally get to show just how angry I am
195	-Stays still, informative tone -Empty -I want them to take me seriously because of who I am
196a	-Sarcasm and pacing starts, head looks up -Reminded of Nanny, disgust and hatred flows, slightly pleased that I frightened them -Right now I just want to piss them off
196b – 199	-Hand raises at “died” and “career” -Feelings unchanged -I’m telling them that Nanny isn’t important, and that being Miss career woman of the year doesn’t mean anything
199b	-Head nods slightly -Exasperated -The woman at the phone asked me such a stupid question..
200	-Points outside at “out” an on the floor at “tomorrow” -Angry -I want that Nanny out of my house
201 – 202	-Points to phone at “you”, hand swings at “rolled”, twirls at “try”, points outside again and stops pacing at “get the hell out”. -Stressed, worked up and pissed off -I want to explain the situation to get what I want
202a	-Voice stresses “don’t” and fist clenches, fist opens up but still tense at “so” and voice becomes very tense -Seriously Annoyed and angry! -Can’t you hear what I’m saying?! Are you stupid?
203 – 204	-turns at “I”, voice quickens -slightly pissed -I don’t need a reason, so I’ll just give something stupid
205	-point’s upwards at “out”, fist clenches at “collect”, screams into phone “you bitch!” and slams the phone -Hatred burns out -I cannot tolerate her any longer, she has to go
245	-turns very slowly while saying “Ruth”, shouts “shut up” at her face, pauses, then continues rest of line glaring at Ruth -Disturbed, annoyed, furious, in a drunken rage -Ruth is such a noisy bitch, she has to shut up and stop being rude to me
248 – 249	-head turns away after being insulted, turns back and gives lines -Hurt, vengeful -I will show Ruth how it feels to be lose something you love
252	-Looks down away from Matthew -Empty, distraught -What is it Matthew wants to ask me
254	-Looks straight at Matthew, hand points downwards at “first thing tomorrow”, shifts up and down at each word, then goes down, voice stresses every word -hatred, slight inner satisfaction -I want to remind Matthew that I control the house and its inhabitants
265	-turns around violently at “what”, eyes widen and back straightens at “oh my god”, runs and pushes Matthew at “Get the wooden spoon!” -Anger, then surprise and then urgency -I didn’t notice until Matthew shouts
271	-turns to face Matthew at “no”, head nods towards Ruth at “she” -Anger, rage, decisiveness -This has happened before, there’s no need to make a big deal out of it
273	-grabs Matthew at “I”, pushes Matthew after finishing lines -Fury, anger is about to explode but is restrained -How dare he defy me, I will show him who is in charge here
276	-body stays still -anger slowly boils down -the towel is more important than that useless dead rabbit
281	-says “Matthew” when he goes behind me, body stays still -Sadness, regret -I need Matthew’s consolation and understanding
283	-turns directly away from Matthew, head turns to Matthew at “do” -Sadness, regret -Nothing turns out the way I want it to, I need at least one person to know that
285	-hand covers face, head turns away, walks slowly offstage -deep rooted hatred towards everything, sad and empty, feel like dying -I just want to say that I lost faith in everything