Minor characters can often play major roles in the outcome of a play or tale. In Paddy Chayefsky’s play Marty, there are several minor characters that contribute to Marty’s life in a major way. The play without these characters would decrease the motivation and purpose shown by the main characters of the story. With each interaction with one of these minor characters, the main character learns more about his situation, human nature, and perhaps even the opposite sex in general. The most important minor character role in Marty would have to be the young man who tries to offload his date onto Marty.
This slight individual creates an extraordinary situation for the main character which affects severely the outcome of the play. Although the play never mentions this character’s name, his shallow and superficial acts contribute greatly to Marty’s continui
This character represents the antithesis of what Marty’s character stands for and provides a climax to the aforementioned foreshadowing and predictions made by other minor characters. If Marty had given in to the proposal made by this character, it would adversely affect the audience’s view of what kind of a man Marty is. Making an even stronger statement and increasing the tension of the situation, Marty responds with: “You can’t just walk off onna girl like that.” (2.21). This being said reflects on Marty’s personality and eventually leads to his sympathy for Clara. The relevance of the rejection of this minor character displays to the audience that Marty holds a person’s feelings above all else.
ng relationship with Clara. His presence represents a major role that contrasts Marty’s character traits and reflects more of what the audience knows about Marty.
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