Comt 101 - the Dramatic Structure of Would You Still Love Me If

Sarah Zawodniak

Professor Shelli Pentimall Bookler

Comt101.N01

20 October 2015

The Dramatic Structure of Would You Still Love Me If

Exposition

The protagonist, Danya Pruitt, is introduced in the first scene where her girlfriend, Addison Watts, are fighting with each other about whether sex toys should be used in their sex life with or not, in their home. It becomes apparent that the lesbian couple has been in a relationship with each other for two years but Addison springs a surprise on Danya about how she was making preparations to adopt a child from a teenage girl because both of them are unable to conceive. Ironically, she become frustrated with Addison but Danya has been keeping a secret where she has secretly felt like a man her whole life and has been having discussions with her plastic surgeon about the the possibilities of surgery.

Inciting moment: Danya visits Doctor Gerard, her plastic surgeon, who becomes feed up with Danya’s refusal to take steps towards the surgery and asks her to leave. Danya convinces Doctor Gerard that she this is the one thing that she truly desires and confesses to him that she has not told her mother or her girlfriend after he informed her that she needed to have another conversation with a legal partner, power of attorney, or a close relative. Doctor Gerald warns her that once she takes the journey of changing into a man everything will change, including her relationship with her lover.

Rising action:

Danya decides to meet with her mother, Victoria, and use her as the person that Doctor Gerard needs to move towards the surgery. The scene begins after Danya told her mother about how she wants to become a man and asks her mother to explain how she was feeling. Victoria berated her daughter with “less extreme options” and eventually told Danya that her girlfriend, Addison, should be her P.O.A. Danya felt cornered and became defensive, but soon after she told her mother that she would disclose to Addison about her transition. The next day, Victoria comes to Danya and Addison’s house looking for Danya. Addison starts having a deep conversation with Victoria about how she views her as the mother she never had. Eventually, Victoria finds herself incapable of lying to Addison about Danya and spills everything. Addison become distraught and desperately tries to come into contact with Danya but is unable to because she was in a trial. Later the same day, Addison meets with Doctor Gerard where he explains to her the realties and risks of hormones and surgery.

Climax (turning point)

After Addison leaves Doctor Gerard’s office she goes back to her home and confronts Danya. Addison tells Danya how wrong it was for her to lie to her for two years straight, and told her about how she felt so betrayed. Plus, she told her that she only wanted a relationship with another lesbian woman, because that was what she felt like she needed She told Danya that the baby was not a deal breaker, but the lack of trust would be. Addison then asks Danya to stay the same sex and not go through with the surgery, afterward Danya agreed.