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Building on the themes of responsibility, morality, and guilt, this lesson examines how DNA explores the dynamics of power, the pressure of conformity, and the fragility of identity. These themes are deeply interconnected — power depends on conformity, and conformity erodes identity.
Kelly presents several different types of power in the play, and each one fails or corrupts:
| Type of power | Character | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Positional authority | John Tate | Collapses under pressure — he cannot cope |
| Intellectual authority | Phil | Effective but amoral — power without conscience |
| Physical intimidation | Cathy | Rises to the top through sheer aggression |
| Moral authority | Leah | Completely ignored — moral power is worthless |
| Social conformity | The group | The pressure to belong is the strongest force of all |
Phil's silence is one of the play's most sophisticated explorations of power:
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