a minor role Flashcards
“observed on stage, Propping a spear “
- metaphorically on stage
- spear carrier - an actor with a walk on part
“shrinks to unwanted sniggers”
humiliation if the minor role goes wrong
- afraid of the judgement/ humiliation of the unwanted audience
semantic field of medicine/ illness
“asking pointed questions politely”
“music of civility”
speakers politeness
- playing the role - speaker is trying to maintain a sense of stability and normality in their lives with consistent politeness
- an aspect of their role, taking care of their partner
“driving to hospitals”
“waiting room roles”
“consultants monologues”
“dosages”
semantic field of medicine/ illness
“contrive meals for a hunger striker”
- metaphorically on hunger strike
- partner is depending on the speaker to keep them alive
“whimsical soft centred happy all the way through novels”
- speaker is attempting to counter act the despair
“pretend all’s well, Admit it’s not”
- speaker is role playing to help their partner
- theatrical imagery
“genres of misery”
speakers partners despair is overwhelming
“Tears, torpor boredom, lassitude”
- mental inactivity, fatigue
“Not the star part . And who would want it?”
Theatrical imagery
- irony
The star role belongs to the speakers ill partner - only the centre of attention due to a horrible reason
“I jettison the spear, the servant tray”
Shift in tone
- speaker is suggesting their role has importance
“Yet to my thinking this act was ill advised
It would have been better to die”
Chorus (typical of Ancient Greek tragedies)
The speaker is facing an experience of total despair - the hopelessness of the person they’re caring for
“No it wouldn’t!
I am here to make you believe in life.”
- Speakers response to the chorus
- The speaker realises they are playing an important role in keeping their partner alive and giving them hope
Broken lines
- Focuses readers attention
- Shifts focus
