Aufgabe: literarischer Text

Text: Extract from Citizen Kane (Script, 1941)

Wortzahl des Textes: 522

Annotations

Introductory remark: Kane is in the process of taking over the first newspaper in his career.

2 Sanctum – private place where one is free from intrusion

Arbeitsanweisungen

1. Give a summary of the present scene  (including all characters). [Orientation/Context]

2. Work on details of the text (including stage directions) to characterize Kane's journalistic ethos. [Analysis]

3. A modern-day version of Citizen Kane might be modelled on Rupert Murdoch. Make a suggestion for a comparable scene in such a movie. [(Re)Creation of Text]

Hilfsmittel:

       Dictionary of Contemporary English

INT. KANE'S OFFICE - LATE DAY - 1891

Kane, in his shirt sleeves, at a roll-top desk in the Sanctum, is working feverishly on copy and eating a very sizeable meal at the same time. Carter, still formally coated, is seated alongside him. Leland, seated in a corner, is looking on, detached, amused. The furniture has been pushed around and Kane's effects are somewhat in place. On a corner of the desk, Bernstein is writing down figures. No one pays any attention to him.

KANE

I'm not criticizing, Mr. Carter, but here's what I mean. There's a front page story in the "Chronicle," (points to it) and a picture - of a woman in Brooklyn who is missing. Probably murdered. (looks to make sure of the name) A Mrs. Harry Silverstone. Why didn't the "Enquirer" have that this morning?

CARTER

(stiffly)

Because we're running a newspaper, Mr. Kane, not a scandal sheet.

Kane has finished eating. He pushes away his plates.

KANE

I'm still hungry, Brad. Let's go to Rector's and get something decent. (pointing to the "Chronicle" before him) The "Chronicle" has a two-column headline, Mr. Carter. Why haven't we?

CARTER

There is no news big enough.

KANE

CARTER

(hotly)

As a matter of fact, we sent a man to the Silverstone home yesterday afternoon.

(triumphantly)

Our man even arrived before the "Chronicle" reporter. And there's no proof that the woman was murdered - or even that she's dead.

KANE

(smiling a bit)

The "Chronicle" doesn't say she's murdered, Mr. Carter. It says the neighbors are getting suspicious.

CARTER

(stiffly)

It's not our function to report the gossip of housewives. If we were interested in that kind of thing, Mr. Kane, we could fill the paper twice over daily -

KANE

(gently)

That's the kind of thing we are going to be interested in from now on, Mr. Carter. Right now, I wish you'd send your best man up to see Mr. Silverstone. Have him tell Mr. Silverstone if he doesn't produce his wife at once, the "Enquirer" will have him arrested.

(he gets an idea)

Have him tell Mr. Silverstone he's a detective from the Central Office. If Mr. Silverstone asks to see his badge, your man is to get indignant and call Mr. Silverstone an anarchist. Loudly, so that the neighbors can hear.

CARTER

Really, Mr. Kane, I can't see the function of a respectable newspaper -

Kane isn't listening to him.

KANE

Oh, Mr. Bernstein!

Bernstein looks up from his figures.

KANE

I've just made a shocking discovery. The "Enquirer" is without a telephone. Have two installed at once!

BERNSTEIN

I ordered six already this morning! Got a discount!

Kane looks at Leland with a fond nod of his head at Bernstein. Leland grins back.

Mr. Carter, meantime, has risen stiffly.

CARTER

But, Mr. Kane -

KANE

That'll be all today, Mr. Carter. You've been most understanding. Good day, Mr. Carter!