A play is written to be viewed and experienced. Therefore when studying The Shoehorn Sonata, you must consider the dramatic elements that the composer has imagined would be utilised on the stage to help convey the meaning/ideas of the text to an audience.
 
In theatre performances, audiences and performers agree to “suspend belief” to pretend together that the action is real and is happening for the first time. This agreement often relies on the acceptance of dramatic/performance conventions (practices accepted as part of playmaking in various forms and styles of performance).

Here is a list of dramatic techniques in 'The Shoe-horn Sonata'
Allusion
Body language
Contrast
Descriptive language
Imagery
Juxtaposition
Lighting 
Metaphor
Motif
Music
Parody
Personification
Photographic images
Repetition
Simile
Stage directions
Symbolism 
Voice