The Actantial Scheme and Functional Structure 1
The Beginning Situation: Lizzie assumes that her three sons were still
alive, but the real is they are presumed dead in the Battle of Gallipoli. The Qualifying Test of Transformation:
Four years after the lost of her three sons, Lizzie still polishes her son’s shoes and asking his husband to tell their sons’s
favorite story of Arabian Nights to an empty bed before their bed time. Lizzie
: Arthur’s worn through the toe of his boot again. What does
he do? The boys are all in bed. They’re waiting for you to read to them.
00:09:18 – 00:09:30
The Main Test of Transformation: Lizzie still cannot accept that her sons
were presumed dead and she keep blaming her husband because he is very good to find the wellspring but he cannot even find his sons.
Lizzie : You can find water but you ca n’t even find your own children.
Why can’t you find them? You lost them. 00:10:58
– 00:11:05 Connor falls asleep and dreams about his wife saying a goodbye to him,
then, he is awakened and calls her up. Then, he finds Lizzie drowns herself in a
dam because she cannot bear the grief of losing his sons. The Glorifying Test of Transformation: Connor wants Lizzie to be buried in the consecrated ground.
Because the priest thinks Lizzie has taken her own life, so he does not allow her to be buried in there. The priest finally gives in, but only if Connor gives his cart as
an offering to the church. Connor
: I’ve dug the grave, I made the coffin, all I’m asking you to
do is say some words and throw some dirt. The Priest : That cart of yours would make a useful benefaction for our
community. An offering to God. 00:15:08
– 00:15:31
The Ending Situation: Connor buries Lizzie in a consecrated grave and
vows to find their sons and bring them home for her.