Juno and the Paycock
Additional Truth and Illusion Essay Plan
Introduction:
‘Juno and the Paycock’ is a play by Sean O’ Casey which deals with an important human
issue. The theme of ____________ is explored through the various characters in the play.
The play centres around a family of four, living in a tenement house in Dublin, during the
Irish Civil War in the early 1920s. The family’s fortunes change when they believe
themselves to be the inheritors of a large sum of money. However, the family never receive
the money and are left in a worse situation than before.
Paragraph 2: Johnny
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Refer to Johnny and how he relates to the theme.
Refer to Johnny Character sheet
Paragraph 3: Jerry
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Refer to Jerry and how he relates to the theme.
Refer to Minor Characters sheet
Paragraph 4: Boyle
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Refer to Boyle and how he relates to the theme.
Refer to Boyle character sheet
Paragraph 5: Technique – CONFLICT
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Mention Juno and characterisation (use the character sheet)
Emphasise that she is the only character who is NOT deluded.
Paragraph 6: Key scene – The Will – discovered to be an illusion
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See bubble sheet “News of the will offers the characters the possibility of
escape. Johnny – “we’ll be able to get out o’ this place now.” Juno sees
it as liberation for Boyle, “you won’t have to trouble about a job for a
while.” Boyle is going to be “a new man.” The illusion of money offers
them all the possibility of liberation. All the characters seem to have gained
a more optimistic outlook on life. However, this is soon destroyed when it
is revealed that the money does not exist. The family return to their usual
bickering and a feeling of pessimism is evident. The only good to come
out of the incident is the strong, optimistic relationship between Mary and
Juno.
Paragraph 7: Mary’s desolate situation – Bentham was not all he seemed.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the play ‘Juno and the Paycock’ by Sean O’ Casey effectively explores a
human issue: the theme of ________. O’ Casey examines this theme through the characters
of __________, __________, and _____________ and how they deal with _________. Other
techniques used to convey the theme of ____________ are ____________and ____________.
As a result of reading this play I am far more aware of ____________ in 1920s Ireland.