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 4
In 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 14
This is the final scene in which we see Sheila and Bridie
finally begin to leave the war behind.