Synopsis
The play concerns Catherine, the daughter of Robert, a recently deceased mathematical genius in his fifties and professor at the University of Chicago, and her struggle with mathematical genius and mental illness. Catherine had cared for her father through a lengthy mental illness. Upon Robert's death, his ex-graduate student Hal discovers a paradigm-shifting proof about prime numbers in Robert's office. The title refers both to that proof and to the play's central question: Can Catherine prove the proof's authorship? Along with demonstrating the proof's authenticity, the daughter also finds herself in a relationship with 28-year-old Hal. Throughout, the play explores Catherine's fear of following in her father's footsteps, both mathematically and mentally and her desperate attempts to stay in control.
Proof Trailer
An Education Pack: Proof
Journal Task: Initial reaction to Script Extract
1. What is happening during this moment in the play? Respond in as much detail as you can.
2. What is the relationship between the two characters? E.g. How do they feel about each other?
3. Who has the higher status in the scene? How do you know? Does the status shift between the characters throughout the scene. Explain your answer?
2. What is the relationship between the two characters? E.g. How do they feel about each other?
3. Who has the higher status in the scene? How do you know? Does the status shift between the characters throughout the scene. Explain your answer?