THE DRAWER BOY
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS & ASSIGNMENTS
PLAYWRIGHTS NOTES
1. Either based on class discussion, or research, in a paragraph (minimum 3 sentences) explain who
Miles Potter is and why he was significant in the development of the play “The Drawer Boy”.
BONUS QUESTIONS: The Playwright, Michael Healey, mentions a list of actors in the Playwright’s Notes
section at the beginning of the play. One of the actors he names is Eric Peterson, who is a famous
Canadian actor. Name one television show and one other theatre production he has performed in.
ACT 1, SCENE 1
1. Answer either A or B. Pick ONE.
A. Set Designer: Imagine you are the set designer for this production. Based on the stage
directions / description, draw an image of what you imagine the stage looks like.
Remember, you’re drawing a “set” and not a real farm house. Include significant colours.
You may wish to draw the stage from the front view and a side view. Include a brief note
describing what you have drawn.
B. Props Master: Image you are the props master for this production. Based on the stage
directions / description and the requirements of the actors, list all the props you think are
necessary for this performance (you should also consider “set dressings” i.e., decorations, or
items found in the average kitchen which may be visible from the audience.
2. Why does Miles offer to help out around the farm?
3. What do we learn or what can you guess about Angus based on what you’ve read in this scene?
ACT 1, SCENE 2
1. What do you notice about Angus in this scene? What’s odd?
2. What are your thoughts on the conversation between Miles and Morgan about the cows?
Quote specific dialogue and respond to it.
ACT 1, SCENE 3
Making Inferences
1. Why (according to Morgan) will Miles need to wear a welder’s mask and a raincoat while doing
farm work?
2. Using evidence from the text, and your own thoughts to support your answer, describe
Morgan’s opinion of Miles?
ACT 1, SCENE 4
ANSWER IN FULL SENTENCES ... THINK OSSLT FORMAT.
1. What astonishing skill does Angus demonstrate in this scene?
2. What do you think Miles' intentions in this scene are? Why do you think he behaves the way he
does towards Angus?
ACT 1, SCENE 5
1. What is the significance of the discussion about the steak?
2. Why do you think Angus gets so worked up when Miles is talking about communal farming?
3. How is Miles’ work with the collective similar to Morgan’s work on the farm?
ACT 1, SCENE 6
1. What is Miles doing at the beginning of the scene? Why?
2. What do you suppose Angus is looking for?
ACT 1, SCENE 7
1. Why is Morgan upset with Miles?
2. What surprising thing does Angus do in this scene? Why do you think this happens?
3. Anticipate Act 2:
a. Do you think Miles leaves as Morgan wants, or stays on the farm?
b. Do you think Miles keeps Angus and Morgan’s story in show, or removes it as
requested? Why?
ACT 2, SCENE 1
1. At the beginning of the scene, Miles is telling Angus a story about how he went mad and was
terrible to his girlfriend, and murdered people. Is Miles really talking about his own, real life?
Use proof from the text to justify your answer.
2. Using the names “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern” do a quick internet search to see if you can
discover what story Miles is telling Angus.
3. Morgan is still giving “gullible” Miles a hard time. Identify the two ridiculous things Morgan tells
Miles to do.
4. How does Angus differentiate between performing “Miles” and performing “Morgan”? (hint:
check the stage directions)
5. When Angus is worked up Morgan can usually calm him down by asking him to do something.
What is this action which is repeated throughout the play, and what is Angus’ unusual response
to the demand?
6. In the last line of the scene Morgan says, “That’s the man who did this to you.” What does he
mean by that?
ACT 2, SCENE 2
1. Why has Angus gone to the graveyard?
2. What is the title of the poem Angus begins to recite in this scene? (The answer is not in this
scene. You’re going to have to figure it out on your own.)
3. … and the author?
4. Explain (in full sentences) the process you took to find the answer to questions 2 and 3 (include
any unsuccessful attempts as well).
ACT 2, SCENE 3
1. In the opening of this scene (before there is any dialogue) Miles “cheats” by dumping the entire
bucket of water on the stones, patting them dry, and then shoving the two piles together. Do
you think that Morgan will notice that Miles “cheated” on the task he had given him?
2. Define the word culvert.
3. In this scene Morgan is upset about Angus. Does this change the way he views / treats Miles?
Explain your answer using proof from the text.
4. Why do you think Morgan refuses to look for Angus at the graveyard?
5. Morgan tells Miles: “You watch your step, young man.” What does he mean?
6. Angus tells Morgan a stopped him and warned him against Morgan. “It said: HE KILLED YOUR
FATHER. HE MARRIED YOUR MUM” and then Angus admits he was only pretending. What
earlier event in the play is Angus referring to?
7. What’s the significance of Angus remembering how much money they got for selling the black
car?
8. Why did Morgan take down the blueprints of the house “joined but separate”.
9. Sally used to give Angus medicine from a spoon. How does this revelation connect to events
earlier in the play?
10. Why did Sally decide to leave?
11. What was Frances talking about when she told Morgan, “’This is the worst thing I could do to
you. Don’t you dare help me do it.’”
12. If Morgan blamed Angus for the girls leaving, why do you think he has stuck by him all of these
years?
13. What is the significance of Miles handing Morgan his notebook?
14. What twist do we discover at the end of the play?