Mr. Know All - Game Script by Somerset Maugham


Background

The story Mr. Know All is a tale about Prejudice , Racism and Stereotyping.

A British passenger finds himself forced to share a cabin on an ocean liner with the loud, opinionated, supremely self-confident gem dealer Max Kelada . Kelada soon dominates all the onboard social gatherings, much to the annoyance of his fellow passengers, who take to calling him "Mr. Know-All" behind his back because of his insistence that he is an expert on all subjects.

One night, he remarks on the fine quality of the pearl necklace worn by the pretty Mrs. Ramsay , who has rejoined her husband after a year's separation caused by his work. Mr. Ramsay bets him that the pearls are fake; Kelada swiftly accepts the wager, despite Mrs. Ramsay's attempt to call it off. While examining the pearls, Kelada observes that the woman is very upset. He then admits that he was wrong and pays Mr. Ramsay. The readers can infer that despite himself, Kelada feels sorry for Mrs. Ramsay, and spares her embarrassment at the cost of his own public ridicule. 

Seeing this behavior, the British narrator begins to warm to his cabin mate.  

Characters

Max Kelada Pearl merchant


Your Task

Dear Character, you need to convince the panel that you really know everything, especially that the pearls are real. Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. They are worth reading...


Resources


The Narrator A writer


Your Task

Dear Character, you need to convince the panel that Mr. Kelada just thinks he know everything. Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. They are worth reading...


Resources


Mr. Ramsay Consular clerk


Your Task

Dear Character, you need to convince the panel that Mr Kelada is a phony and a liar, and that the pearls are fake. Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. They are worth reading...


Resources


Mrs. Ramsay housewife


Your Task

Dear Character, you need to convince the panel that the bet is a waste of time and the pearls are fake. Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. They are worth reading...


Resources


The Doctor Doctor (a passenger)


Your Task

Dear Character, you need to convince the panel that Mr. Kelada is someone who should be ignored.  Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. They are worth reading...


Resources


Scene 1: Dinner on the liner



1.

Public Message

Dear Students,

You are about to experience the tension around the dinner table on the ocean liner first hand. You will try to understand the characters feelings towards each other and try to understand what stereotyping can cause.

Good Luck!



Vote

[username], after all you heard and said, what to you think should be decided in the case of Max Kelada, is he English?



Option 1
yes
Option 2
no


Ending message for when most people voted for option



Option 1

thanks!


Option 2

thanks!




Discussion Points

none