Why does kaufman decide to have his characters act in a calm way even in the face of a crisis? what purpose does this serve? is there a connection between this characterization and the plot?

In his play The Still Alarm, Kaufman uses understatement liberally. He mocks the excessively stiff and proper mannerisms of British society by having the characters in the play converse in a calm manner even as the hotel that they are in has caught fire:

BELLBOY: The hotel is on fire.

ED: This hotel?

BELLBOY: Yes, sir.

BOB: Well—is it bad?

BELLBOY: It looks pretty bad, sir.

ED: You mean it's going to burn down?

BELLBOY: We think so—yes, sir.

BOB (A low whistle of surprise): Well! We'd better leave.

BELLBOY: Yes, sir.

BOB: Going to burn down, huh?

BELLBOY: Yes, sir. If you'll step to the window you'll see. (Bob goes to R. window.)

BOB: Yes, that is pretty bad. H'm. (To Ed). I say, you really ought to see this—  

Kaufman’s use of understatement demonstrates that British society can be standoffish, unmoved, and impassive, irrespective of the situation. For example, by having the characters in the play converse in a calm manner, even as they risk being trapped in the fire, Kaufman mocks British society’s excessively stiff and proper mannerisms. Bob’s calm reaction is amusing, as he is unaffected by the fire and is in no hurry to get outside the burning building safely and unscathed, which is not what anyone would consider a normal reaction to such a situation.

1. read the following excerpt from franklin d. roosevelt's "fireside chat 19":

on the other side of the picture, we must learn also to know that guerilla warfare against the germans in, let us say serbia or norway, us; that a successful russian offensive against the germans us; and that british successes on land or sea in any part of the world strengthen our hands.

remember always that germany and italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war, consider themselves at war with the united states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with britain or russia. and germany puts all the other republics of the americas into the same category of enemies. the people of our sister republics of this hemisphere can be honored by that fact.  

the true goal we seek is far above and beyond the ugly field of battle. when we resort to force, as now we must, we are determined that this force shall be directed toward ultimate good as well as against immediate evil. we americans are not destroyers — we are builders.

analyze the effectiveness of this excerpt. how does it function within the speech as a whole? how does the structure of the excerpt to convey the speech's purpose and key points? support your argument with evidence from the speech. (10 points)

stating your point of the article