Welcome to Your Study Guide for Dennis Kelly’s 'DNA'!
Hello! If you are studying Dennis Kelly’s play DNA for your AQA GCSE English Literature exam, you are in the right place. This play is a gripping, sometimes scary, and very thought-provoking piece of Modern Drama. It explores what happens when a group of teenagers makes a massive mistake and how they deal with the guilt, the pressure, and each other.
Don't worry if the play feels a bit dark or confusing at first. We are going to break it down into simple parts so you can walk into your exam feeling confident. Let’s dive in!
1. What is 'DNA' Actually About? (The Plot)
Think of the plot as a "snowball effect." One small bad decision keeps rolling and getting bigger and more dangerous until it’s out of control.
Step 1: The Incident
A group of teenagers has been bullying a boy named Adam. They go too far, and Adam falls into a deep grille (a dark hole). They think he is dead.
Step 2: The Panic
The group meets in a wood. They are terrified of getting caught. John Tate tries to lead but falls apart. Phil, who hasn't said a word, finally speaks and comes up with a brilliant but cold-blooded plan to frame a stranger.
Step 3: The Cover-Up
The group follows Phil’s plan. They tell lies to the police and even plant evidence (DNA) to frame an innocent man. It seems to work, but the group starts to crumble under the pressure of their secret.
Step 4: The Twist
They find out Adam is actually alive! He has been living in the woods, confused and injured. Instead of helping him, the group (led by Phil’s logic) decides that Adam "coming back to life" would ruin them. They decide to get rid of him for good.
Step 5: The Aftermath
The play ends with the group drifted apart. Some have become cold, some have "lost it," and Leah—the person who tried to be the group's conscience—finally leaves.
Key Takeaway: The play is about the consequences of our actions and how far people will go to protect themselves when they are part of a "pack."
2. Meet the Characters
Understanding the characters is like understanding the players in a game. Everyone has a different role to play.
Phil
Phil is the "brain" of the group. He is almost always eating and almost never talking.
Analogy: Think of Phil like a computer processor. He doesn't have "feelings"; he just calculates the most logical way to solve a problem, even if that solution is evil.
Leah
Leah is the "voice" of the play. She talks constantly to Phil (who ignores her).
Why she matters: Leah represents our conscience. She is the one who asks "Is this right?" and worries about the morality of their actions. When she leaves at the end, it shows that the group has lost its moral compass.
John Tate
He starts as the leader but can’t handle the stress. He tries to control people through fear because he is actually the most scared person there.
Cathy
Cathy is a very interesting (and scary) character. While others are scared, Cathy seems to enjoy the excitement. She becomes more powerful and violent as the play goes on.
Quick Review Box:
• Phil: Silent, logical, cold.
• Leah: Talkative, moral, anxious.
• Adam: The victim (the outsider).
• Cathy: Ambitious and dangerous.
3. Important Themes (The Big Ideas)
In your exam, you need to talk about these "big ideas." Here is a simple Memory Aid to help you remember them: G.R.O.U.P.
G - Guilt: How does the secret eat away at characters like Brian or Leah?
R - Responsibility: Is everyone in the group equally "guilty" even if they didn't push Adam?
O - Outsiders: How do we treat people who don't "fit in" (like Adam)?
U - Uniformity: Why do the teenagers act like a "pack" or a "herd" rather than individuals?
P - Power: Who has the power, and how do they use it? (Phil vs. John Tate).
Did you know?
The title 'DNA' refers to the biological code that makes us who we are. Dennis Kelly is asking: Is it in our "DNA" to be violent? Are we just like chimps (who also kill in groups), or can we choose to be better?
Key Takeaway: The play suggests that being part of a group can make "normal" people do "monstrous" things because they feel less individual responsibility.
4. Dramatic Techniques: How the Play is Built
The way the play is written is just as important as the story. Here are three things to look out for:
1. The Setting (A Wood, A Field, A Street)
Kelly uses very simple settings. This makes the play feel universal—it could happen in any town, to any group of kids. The "Wood" is a classic place in literature where rules don't apply and things get dark (like in fairy tales).
2. Pauses and Silence
When you see (Pause) or (Silence) in the script, don't skip over it!
Why? In DNA, silence is a weapon. Phil uses silence to control Leah. Silence also shows the moments where the characters are too horrified to speak.
3. Leah’s Monologues
Leah has long speeches where she talks about science, nature, and bonobos.
Step-by-step tip: If you get a question on Leah, look at her monologues. She isn't just "rambling"; she is trying to make sense of the horrible things the group is doing by comparing them to the natural world.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just describe what the characters say. Mention that this is a play! Use words like "audience," "stage directions," and "dialogue."
5. Context: Why was this play written?
AQA wants to see that you understand the "world" of the play.
Teenage Identity: The play was written at a time when there was a lot of "moral panic" in the news about "hoodies" and teenage gangs. Kelly shows that these aren't "monsters"; they are just kids who get caught in a terrible situation.
Biology vs. Choice: Kelly explores the 21st-century obsession with DNA and science. Does our DNA decide our fate, or do we have Free Will?
Quick Review:
• Setting: Minimalist and symbolic.
• Style: Realistic dialogue with lots of pauses.
• Theme: Individual vs. The Group.
6. Final Tips for the Exam
Don't worry if you find the language of the play a bit "plain." It’s supposed to sound like real teenagers! When you are writing your essay, follow these simple steps:
1. Point: Make a clear statement (e.g., "Kelly uses the character of Phil to show how logic can be used for evil.")
2. Evidence: Use a short quote (e.g., "I'm in charge. Everyone is happier.")
3. Analysis: Explain how the quote proves your point. Talk about the effect on the audience.
4. Link: Connect it back to the theme of power or responsibility.
Encouraging Phrase: You’ve got this! Just remember that DNA is a play about choices. Focus on the choices the characters make, and you will do great!