HOW should i read this monologue???

Question:The Fall of the House of Usher
Based on the Story by Edgar Allan Poe
Madeline is mentally ill. In this monologue, she is talking to her brother Roderick.
MADELINE:
Roderick? I can't dream. I don't dream anymore. We would dream so vividly, Roderick. Do you remember the way we would dream together? I would have trouble telling them from the real thing. I would give anything for that feeling again. Some of them were horrible... oh, God... some of them were nightmares... but they were just dreams. And because they were dreams... and because we were together... always together... they didn't scare me. Isn't that right? You were always there with me... weren't you? During those dreams? We were dreaming together. I wasn't alone. I wasn't in control. Sometimes, it all mixes together... and I have trouble remembering what were the dreams.. and what were the things that really happened. Isn't that funny?
(Suddenly she becomes very angry for no apparent reason.) Is it sad, angery etc?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The Fall of the House of Usher
Based on the Story by Edgar Allan Poe
Madeline is mentally ill. In this monologue, she is talking to her brother Roderick.
MADELINE:
Roderick? I can't dream. I don't dream anymore. We would dream so vividly, Roderick. Do you remember the way we would dream together? I would have trouble telling them from the real thing. I would give anything for that feeling again. Some of them were horrible... oh, God... some of them were nightmares... but they were just dreams. And because they were dreams... and because we were together... always together... they didn't scare me. Isn't that right? You were always there with me... weren't you? During those dreams? We were dreaming together. I wasn't alone. I wasn't in control. Sometimes, it all mixes together... and I have trouble remembering what were the dreams.. and what were the things that really happened. Isn't that funny?
(Suddenly she becomes very angry for no apparent reason.) Is it sad, angery etc?

Okay,I get chance to use my acting chops to help a youngster get a handle on a part! First things first.What do you know about this girl,besides her being mentally ill? This is what's called,"backstory"and,even if it's not in the text you can use it to draw on for a solid charcterization.Is she damaged in some way that caused her illness(a good bet)is it hereditary?(another good bet) is she really crazy or has she been brainwashed into thinking that she is?This is the kind of thing you would think about for any role and,even though it's only a monlogue,act it as if you were doing a full-length play.The one thing you want to avoid is,"playing crazy"you know,bulging eyes,wild mannerisms,etc. Maybe she has a tick,like twirling a wisp of her hair when she's agitated,or she tugs at her dress. Don't make her "look crazy"either,with wild hair,dirty clothes etc,in other words,avoid cliche like the plague! Follow the ellipses in the monologue where indicated and let some of the speech come out in a rush as though she's afraid her brother won't understand her.Keep it very quiet,make the audience come to you and listen carefully at what you're saying,then,Bam! At the end of the speech,she suddenly loses it(anger born of frustration is the way to go,I think) and sobs helplessly,leaning against the brother,clutching at him as if doind so will keep her from going over the edge.Do you see how modulation and under-playing will make it more compelling?Let me know how it goes after you try it with my suggestions,okay?

Alot of times when I dont understand a mono or just cant think of a way. I just focus on the words. And just say them to the judes or whatever. Because they would rather have a mono be learned then over the top. Save the over the top for the show or whatever.

As though you are confused.

I know I am confused now.

Actually it bounces all around emotionally. Remember, she's mentally ill.

To me, it moves from confusion to happiness (from her memories) to fear, to gratitude, back to confusion...

Try to determine what her emotions are for each section. But don't "show" the emotions; just have them. Nobody wants to see you "act."

My interpretaion in the reading is that the speaker is speaking in a slow, sad, dreamy voice with significant pauses. Like someone who has just awakened from a deep sleep and is trying to gather their thoughts.

well i think u should try to act a little inocent
kinda like a little kid and use a lot of pauses like
rodrick? [pause]
I cant dream. i dont dream anymore [that would be good
to sound a little worried, or hessitant]
we would dream so vividly, roderick [pause]
do YOU remember the way we would dream together?
[pause]
I would have trouble telling them from the real thing. I would give anything for that feeling again. [say enthusiastically]
some of them were horrible [maybe a sad, or scared tone]
oh, God... some of them were nightmares[longer pause]... but they were just dreams. [say it relived]
and because we were together... always together... they didn't scare me. Isn't that right?
You were always there with me... weren't you?[say the worent u like not sure]
During those dreams?[say it kind of rushed]
We were dreaming together. I wasn't alone. I wasn't in control. Sometimes, it all mixes together... and I have trouble remembering what were the dreams.. [kind of hessitant]
and what were the things that really happened. Isn't that funny?
[say that sarcasticly]

i think its a bit sad and angy
like it starts out kind of like
sad,
then she gets angyish
cuz he probably changed
and doesnt want to "dream"
with her anymore

well good luck
and hope i helped
=]

Roderick is pronounced "Rod-er-ick" but it kinda sounds a little like "Rod-rick," the "er" is very short.

It's very very rambly, extremely distracted. You should feel like you're following on train of thought and then jumping to another thought very quickly. Where she says "oh God" she's pretty upset and scared, and where she says "Isn't that right" she's looking for reassurance, so sound a little hopeful.

Switch emotions a lot, like you can't quite control what's coming out of your mouth.