Play-02: Visit to a Small Planet by Gore Vidal

Play-02: Visit to a Small Planet by Gore Vidal Exercise Question / Answers
"The Oyster and the Pearl" is a poignant and whimsical one-act play by William Saroyan, exploring the human condition through a simple yet profound narrative. The play tells the story of a young couple's tender and fleeting relationship, set against the backdrop of a bustling city. Through Saroyan's signature lyrical prose and nuanced characterizations, "The Oyster and the Pearl" delves into themes of love, vulnerability, and the transformative power of human connection. A timeless critique of human nature disguised as lighthearted sci-fi.
1	How does Kreton prove his extraordinary powers? Write three lines.
Ans:	Kreton has come in a ship which is without instruments. He forms an invisible wall around his ship. He can hear human mind. He says that he is immortal. No one can touch him.
2.	What is the purpose of Kreton’s visit?
Ans:	He loves humans. He has studied them. It is his hobby. First he comes as a tourist. But once he has landed, he decides to take the charge of the world.
3.	How much more advanced is the civilization of Kreton than that of the earth?
Ans:	Kreton’s people are much more advanced scientifically. They can control their thoughts. They can read human brain. They have flying cars. They have conquered death. They can learn language swiftly.
4.	Can the people of the earth complete with the people of Kreton?
Ans:	No, the people of earth cannot compete with those of Kreton. The earth people cannot touch them even. The earth people are slave to their emotions while Kreton’s people are wise.
5.	How much damaging is violence in life? Write three lines.
Ans:	Violence destroys peace. It gives rise to enmity and quarrels. It brings about sufferings, sorrows and destruction. It makes man savage and cruel. Thus it is very damaging in life.
6.	What type of life do you foresee in the year 5000?
Ans:	Life in the year 5000 would be wonderful. Perhaps it would be like the life of Kreton’s people. People would travel in the flying cars. They might be able to hear human mind. They might become immortal.
7.	How much impressive were the morals of Kreton?
Ans:	Kreton is a harmless man. He has controlled his emotions. He uses his mind, therefore is wise. He is polite, loving, tolerant and patient. Thus his morals are very impressive.
8.	What is the role of Genera Powers in the play?
Ans:	General Powers stands in contrast to Kreton. He works as a screen that shows off the qualities of Kreton. His narrow mindedness highlights the generous disposition of the visitor.
9.	What is the theme of Kreton’s study?
Ans:	The theme of Kreton’s studies is the earth and its inhabitants. It is his hobby. He loves humans. He loves to gad about. He visits the earth as a tourist.
10.	How does Kreton impress General Powers?
Ans:	Kreton can hear General Powers’ thoughts. He builds an invisible wall around his ship. His ship is without instruments. General Powers is unable to touch him. These things of Kreton impress General Powers.
11.	Write a note on Mr. Spelding?
Ans:	Mr. Spelding is a TV commentator. He loves his profession. He wants his daughter to marry an ambitious man. He is eager to announce new and novel news. He loves his country very much.
12.	Write a note on Mrs. Spelding?
Ans:	Mrs. Spelding is a passive, bored and vague lady. She gets impressed by the unusual personality of Kreton. She likes his side-whisters very much. She deeply loves her rose garden. She remains worried about it throughout the play.
13.	Write a note on Ellen?
Ans:	Ellen is a lively girl of twenty. She feels perfectly contented with her life. She is not an ambitious girl. She is loving and loyal to John, her husband-to-be. She is rather ashamed of being an earth inhabitant.
14.	Write a note on John?
Ans:	John is a young man. He works at his farm. He is energetic and curious. He is bold and brave as well. He loves Ellen and wants to marry her.
15.	Write a note on General Powers.
Ans:	General Powers is an army officer. He is dutiful man. He is ambitious for promotion. He wants to pin three silver stars on his shoulder. But he is not very intelligent. He remains skeptical of Kretons’ intentions throughout the play.
16.	Write a note on Kreton?
Ans:	Kreton is a wise man. He loves to gad about. He loves the Earth and its inhabitants. He has land on earth as a tourist. He can read human mind. He remains fairly patient with what the earth people do. In the end he decides to take the charge of the world.
17.	How does the playwright expose the inferiority of the present race to that of the future?
Ans:	Kreton represents the future generation. The earth people represents the present generation. The present generation is narrow-minded, emotional, sceptic and moral. The future generation may be wise, friendly, patient and immortal.
18.	Describe the arrival of the flying saucer in your own words.
Ans:	The earth people think that the ship of Kreton is a meteor or a weather balloon.   However, it lands in the rose garden of Spelding’s house. It’s side opens and Kreton comes out of it.
19.	Compare and contrast the people of the two planets?
Ans:	The earth people are narrow-minded, emotional, sceptic and mortal. The people of other planets are wise, friendly, patient and immortal. The earth people appear to be inferior to the people of other planets.
20.	Write a story of your visit to fall off place in the north of Pakistan?
Ans:	Last year, I visited Skardu. It is a valley surrounded by lofty mountains. In the heart of this valley flows the Indus River. The winding road presents a lavish sight. Its natural beauty, fresh flowers and bubbling streams mesmerize the visitors.

Visit to a Small Planet by Gore Vidal is a razor-sharp satirical play following Kreton, a whimsical alien who lands on Earth to study human warfare. Written during the Cold War, this dark comedy skewers militarism, TV sensationalism, and political absurdity with Vidal’s signature wit.

#GoreVidal #VisitToASmallPlanet #Satire #SciFiComedy #ColdWarEra #AlienInvasion #PoliticalSatire #AmericanTheater #DarkComedy #ClassicPlay #WarCritique #MediaSatire #OffBroadway #1950sLiterature #AbsurdistHumor