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Week 4 Day 5 – Monologue Scene – JAWS
- Please watch this scene and provide your insights into what makes this scene great from a writing perspective.
- Read the other writers comments and make notes of how you will use a strong monologue in your script.
- Rethink or create a Monologue scene for your script using your new insights and rewrite the scene.
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JAWS — Monologue Scene
The Shark Story about USS Indianapolis
What makes this scene great from a writing perspective is how Quint’s monologue about the story of the sinking of the Indianapolis adds a frightening element to the film’s final act.
A man-eating shark has attacked and killed a tourist and these three are out in a boat to lure the shark away and kill it. This is the night before they have the final fight with the shark.
Quinn tells the foreboding gruesome tale of his shark experience where only 316 out of the 1100 that had gone in came out; the sharks got the rest.
The two fellas he’s talking to are both spell bound and terrified as Quint relates his story while they are up against a fight with a shark that could kill them any minute.
What I learned rewriting my scene is to use a strong monologue in order to deliver some deep insight that is an expression of character.
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Such monologues are best used to provide a deeper understanding of the forces at work behind the story or to get to know the person telling the story even better. They are standalone little stories within a big story, with a beginning, middle and end. It’s not just what is said that is important, but what thoughts and feelings are triggered in the listener. The men here who listened must have been more afraid of sharks at the end than before. When they set out on their shark hunt, it might have seemed like a good adventure. Now they know it will be a life-or-death encounter.
I’ve learned that a monologue like this can add depth and weight to a story.
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Monologues can help develop a character, create tension, and explore the theme of the film.
Quint, through his firsthand account of the USS Indianapolis tragedy, we learn about his personal trauma, witnessing the gruesome deaths of his shipmates, and the loss of his friend. This emotional revelation adds layers to Quint’s tough exterior and explains his profound hatred for sharks, making his quest to kill the great white shark deeply personal.
The timing of the monologue is crucial, occurring the night before the final confrontation with the shark. It adds a layer of tension and foreboding to the atmosphere, emphasizing the gravity of the upcoming battle. The horrific details of the shark attacks during the war foreshadow the impending danger they face and heighten the stakes for the characters.
The monologue serves as a moment of connection between the three main characters – Chief Brody, Matt Hooper, and Quint. Their reactions to the chilling story reflect their personalities. Brody, already fearful of the water and sharks, becomes even more apprehensive. Hooper, the scientist, is shocked and intrigued. Quint’s calm yet haunting delivery captivates the audience and the characters, deepening the dynamics among the trio.
The way Quint ends his story leads us to believe that the tragedy was somehow linked to delivering the bomb. It hints at themes of survival, guilt, and divine retribution. This not only enriches Quint’s character but also invites the audience to reflect on broader themes within the story.
The monologue follows a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end. It starts with the setup of the secret mission and the sinking of the ship, moves into the horrifying shark attacks and the prolonged struggle for survival, and concludes with Quint’s personal resolution – his refusal to wear a lifejacket again. The mention of delivering the bomb ties the story back to the broader context of historical events.
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The monologue of personal experience gives a much deeper emotional element than Hooper’s scientific data about sharks. Seeing is believing, and Quint delivers a very detailed rendition of what he saw.
His experience informs the viewer that this hunter understands very well the stakes in his present venture. It also explains his passion for killing the shark. His statement of never wearing a life jacket again says he is willing to give his life in this fight.
Quint’s story being based on history tells the rest of the story the others may have already known. He gives facts that no one else seems to have made public–because they are horrific, and embarrassing to the government. He needs the drink he holds in his hand. Listening to this story gives the viewer an emotional reaction that they can identify with the chief’s fear. story and the close-up shots of Quint’s listeners reveal another aspect of each character’s profile: the inner battle they are fighting in approaching the monster shark.
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