Key Scenes which show distinctively visual images

of Memorable events and

ideas in The Shoehorn Sonata

“bickering”: when close friends (or

couples) argue in a non-threatening way

about something unimportant• Bantering• Squabbling• Wrangling• Nit-picking• Criticising• Hairsplitting (“splitting hairs”)• Picking-on (“picking at’”)• Quibbling• Being finicky/fussy

Memorable “distinctively visual” Images in key scenes

Scene 4In this scene, the obvious tension in the relationship between Bridie and Sheila is contrasted with the sacrifice the women made for the same friendship in the face of the atrocities of the POW camp.

p. quote Technique and how it creates a “distinctively visual” image

37 “BRIDIE deliberately ignores SHEILA’S rising anger. Indeed, she holds up some little motel coffee sachets and looks at them”

The body language in this stage direction states “________________________”. Bridie ignores Sheila and focuses on small, insignificant details.This shows tension between Sheila and Bridie. It seems they are unable to communicate freely about the intense and looming issues of their experiences since being in the POW.

38 “it was the biggest debacle since the Greeks took Troy. And I bet you Troy there was some British general’s forbear saying [mimics cruelly] ‘What a smashing wooden horse! I say chaps, wheel her in!”

Bridie’s allusion the wooden horse of Troy creates an image of the futility of war. The British vernacular and emotive stage direction creates a sarcastic parody of British Imperial foolishness. This is a dig at Sheila’s cultural connection to the traditions and power of the British Empire. The sarcasm also creates an image of the Australian cultural sense of larrikinism and sarcastic sense of humour. The vitriolic “cruelty” in the stage direction positions the audience to observe the fragile tension that stems from the different cultural and social attitudes of Bridie and Sheila..

Scene 8

With the revelation of Sheila’s sacrifice in Scene 8, the tension between Sheila and Bridie reaches a

climax,

Scene Ten “You Should Have Let Me Die”

Images We See

The photo of the male POWs is used to demonstrate that photos of female POWs were forbidden by the government, showing a government cover‐up of that truth.• List visual techniques:

• Explain the effect of each signficant technique 

Images that the audience can visualize

Sheila being haunted by the memory of Lipstick Larry “____________________ _________________________________________________________________”

Write the ‘best quote”:

List the Language Forms and Features:

Explain the effects of the techniques in creating a distinctively visual image

Scene Six

Images We See

Tobacco Tin (p. 49) “___________________________________” Symbolises the selfless sacrifice offered by Sheila

Shoe Horn (p. 50) “_______________________________________” Symbolises the shame felt by

Sheila – though that has not been revealed at this stage

Photograph of women “__________________________________” – shows the physical degradation of the women.

Images that the audience can visualize (imagine) – add quotes + LFFs + explanation of the DV image:

Young Sheila being kind to Bridie (p.49), “_____________________________________________________” - evoked with kindness by Bridie.

Young Sheila singing for Japanese soldiers, “______________________

___________________________________________” - showing her depraved state during the war, hinting at later revelations.

Scene Twelve: David Jones’ Food Hall

Images that the audience can visualise Bridie being scared of Japanese people

“______________________________________________________”

Scene 14This is the final scene in which we see Sheila and Bridie finally begin to leave the war behind.