Academe
The story happens primarily in a school and as such images of the academe are the most frequently encountered images in the novel. Descriptions of classrooms, gatherings of students, lectures, as well as lively exchanges between the instructor and his young learners abound and really give the reader a clear idea of the didactic nature of Tortsov’s so-called system of acting. Images of the academe are only supplanted by images of the stage with regard to frequency.
Stage/Acting
Rivaling images of the academe in terms of frequency is the image of the stage and all the various accompaniments that go with it including narratives describing the lights, the dimensions, the blocking, and the script. It goes without saying of course that if there are extensive narratives of the stage then narratives of acting cannot be too far behind. Expositions of Tortsov’s philosophies, his off-beat methodologies, his unorthodox approach and perception of the art of acting gives the reader the feel of almost looking at a field journey cum technical manual for acting rather than a pure autobiography.
Mentorship
The author takes a novel approach in breaking down his so-called “system” of acting for the readers. He makes use of two characters that represent himself at various junctures in his life namely Tortsov, who represents the author as a seasoned thespian yearning to pass the baton on to younger, more eager minds and bodies, and Kostya, the rookie actor who, in addition to representing the author as a young, raw actor, also embodies the ideal learner: obedient, fearless in the face of criticism, eager to learn, and dedicated to the perfection of his craft.
Process/Gradual Improvement
Tortsov’s “system” of learning how to act or rather teaching the art of acting can be described as an eclectic, multi-disciplinary approach to a singular endeavor. Even though he uses varied and seemingly completely unrelated methods to achieve his results there is a common thread that links all of these efforts together: his focus on a procedure and incremental improvements. Narratives describing these methods are plentiful in the novel and the descriptions aren’t just limited to how the instructor administers his lessons but also how his students respond to the materials used in learning. Initially the students are resentful of the exercises, seeing them as a foolish waste of time. In time though they start to see that there is value to learning philosophy to add depth and meaning to their acting and they start to appreciate the physical exercise that Tortsov has them engage in to improve their ability to perform long hours on stage.
