What Are You Going to Be? by Steven Korbar- Character Analysis
In Steven Korbar’s play “What Are You Going to Be?”, the character Natalie displays a complicated behavior as she goes through a conflict with her parents about her Halloween costume. As a result of her dialogues with her father, Greg, and the cunning use of the situation, Natalie changes her rebellious and crafty nature into a vehicle for introspection and development. This paper will analyze Natalie’s desires, different manipulation techniques, obstacles, and role in the play’s resolution.
Natalie from “What Are You Going to Be?” by Steven Korbar
The main desire of Natalie is to break the control of her parents and be free to make her own decisions about the Halloween costume she will wear. By choosing to wear a burka, she explicitly picks up a costume that varies from the norm, striving to stand out from other girls. She does not just pretend to be a “Muslim” so that she can upset them but also challenge their own views and biases.
One of Natalie’s tools for manipulation is the fact that she dresses up as a “Muslim” for Halloween. This costume is quite different from the common practice and raises controversial religious and cultural issues. Through this, Natalie is able to make her parents reconsider their actions and what they believe in. Natalie’s words further aggravate Greg’s discomfort about her costume: “I’m going back to my room to find out which way is Mecca and practice lying on the floor with my face up” (Martin, 2016, p. 1074). This comment, however, is deliberately religious-sensitive, prompting Greg to reevaluate his own potential biases and preconceptions. The main goal of Natalie is not to learn or accept the Muslim faith but only to use religion as a source for her to fight her parents’ opinion.
Another example of Natalie’s manipulation is her continuous involvement of her parents in the decision-making process surrounding her costume. By keeping them emotionally invested, she amplifies the impact of her manipulation (Nugrahani, n.d.). For instance, she asks her mother for a needle and thread, claiming her face is inadequately covered in the costume. This request manipulates her parents’ sense of responsibility and guilt, making them complicit in the situation. In response, Greg suggests reevaluating the line of Disney princesses, including Jasmine, a character associated with the religion Natalie claims to embody. This calculated move places her parents in a moral dilemma as they grapple with their own biases and the potential consequences of their decisions.
Natalie’s manipulation tactics reach their peak when she accuses her parents of having “secret little hates and prejudices.” This statement plays on their guilt and fear of being seen as racist, pushing them to reconsider their decision and accept her Lady Gaga costume (Martin, 2016). Natalie’s mastery over the situation becomes evident as her parents, overwhelmed by the possibility of being perceived as racist, are willing to do almost anything to change their minds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Natalie’s character in “What Are You Going to Be?” is a master manipulator who evolves throughout the play. Initially driven by a desire to challenge her parents’ control, Natalie strategically employs manipulation to provoke discomfort and self-reflection in her parents. However, as the play unfolds, Natalie’s actions inadvertently lead her parents to reevaluate their own beliefs and prejudices. Through her cunning and calculated moves, Natalie catalyzes change, prompting her parents to reconsider their decision and accept her preferred Lady Gaga costume. Ultimately, Natalie’s transformation highlights the power of manipulation and its ability to influence others and provoke personal growth and transformation.
References
Martin, J. (2016). Beauty. In L.G. Kirszner & S.R. Mandell (Eds.), Compact Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. Pg. 1074.
Nugrahani, W. A. (n.d.). Metacognitive strategies used by english department students in argumentative essay writing.
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Question 
submit your three-paragraph character analysis essay as a Microsoft Word attachment. This short essay should be at least 500 words and at least three paragraphs in length, including an introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion.
What Are You Going to Be? by Steven Korbar- Character Analysis.
Directions
For this essay, you are writing an analysis of one of the characters in one of our 10-minute plays: What Are You Going To Be? By Steven Korbar, Magic 8 Ball by Kimberly Pau, and The Blizzard by David Ives