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Act 1
When youve read the whole act, comment on the following:
[Jimmy]:
(He looks up sharply for a response, but there isnt any) (p. 11)
A few more hours, and another week gone. Our youth is slipping away.
Nobody can be bothered how I long for a little ordinary human enthusiasm
Hallelujah! Im alive! Ive an idea. (p. 12)
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If youve no world of your own, its rather pleasant to regret the passing of
someone elses. (p. 14)
Nothing I do would provoke her. Not even if I were to drop dead. (p. 15)
The only way to keep things much like they always have been as possible, is to
make any alternative too much for your poor, tiny brain to grasp. (p. 16)
Stop ringing those bells! Theres somebody going crazy in here! (p. 20)
[Alison]: I cant think what it was to feel young, really young. (p. 22)
Its those easy things that seem to be so impossible with us. (p. 22)
Act 2 Scene1
Having seen the problem in Act 1, we now get the backstory or generating
circumstance, discovering more about the characters and how they came to be in
this situation. In each case, jot down what is revealed about
Remembering that we know Alison is pregnant but Jimmy doesnt, discuss the
prophetic nature of both Jimmys tirade at the end of Act 1 (If only something)
and his invective Perhaps one day (p. 48) towards the end of Act 2. Why do you
think Osborne deploys this device?
What do you think a feminist literary critic would make of Jimmy and Alisons
relationship? Refer to the text to persuade us of your view.
Act 2 Scene 2
Colonel Redfern:
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apart from collecting Alison, what his role in the play might be
Do you believe in the change in Jimmy and Helenas relationship at the end of the
scene? What happens and why?
Act 3 Scene 1
This scene echoes the opening scene of the play (Act 1 Scene 1), except that it is
now Helena who stands ironing. Compare the two scenes and think about the effect
of this echo device. Discuss
Act 3 Scene 2
This is the scene where all the strands come together and everything should make
sense so, what do the characters realise about themselves and their situation in this
scene? Remember to use the text to provide evidence for your conclusions.
Helena realises
Alison realises
Jimmy realises
Osborne says, The ending of the play is not sentimental. It should be ironic. What do
you make of it? Is it a triumph or a defeat? Does it represent a healing or a
recognition of a chronic defect in their relationship?
How would you end the play?
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