Analysis & Quotation: Philadelphia, Here I Come!: Opening scene Flashcards
written by Brian Friel
“Philadelphia, here I come, _____ back where I _______ from” Gar is singing
“Philadelphia, here I come, right back where I started from” Gar is singing
“let __ on with my _____!” Madge replying to Gar’s incessant questioning whether she will miss him or not
“let me on with my work!” Madge replying to Gar’s incessant questioning whether she will miss him or not
What is to note about the song that Gar sings? What does this suggest about Gar?
It is a variation of the song ‘California Here I Come’ which is not a song about wanting to leave home but a song about longing/wanting to return to it.
This suggests that Gar is, at best, ambivalent and at worst heartbroken about leaving home. The lyrics merely confirm it.
It suggests that Gar’s migration is not an opportunity to be celebrated, but a tragedy to be mourned.
Describe Gar and Madge’s relationship based from the opening scene.
There is a tender chemistry between the two as Gar forces her to waltz with him as the two bicker.
It suggests a love-hate dynamic at play.
Gar annoys Madge, but she tolerates him out of love, duty and habit.
What is revealed to the audience when Gar sings his song? (take into account the true meaning of the song)
It reveals his true feelings about leaving home, something which he will struggle to express over the course of the play.
How does Brien Friel deftly create a sense of an oppressive world bearing down on the protagonist?
The underlying meaning of the song in which Gar sings cheerfully (expresses his true feelings) and through the abrupt change of atmosphere at the mention of SB, Gar’s father.
Why is Gar annoyed with his father?
Because he had not allowed him a day off for his last day home.
How does gar imitate his father? (what does he sound like, etc)
He imitates his father in flat dreary tones, he stands in imitation of his father, head bowed, hands on chest, as he tells him to ‘gut-and-salt-them-fish’.
“Make them up into two-_______ ______” SB O Donnell
“Make them up into two-pound pokes” SB O’Donnell
“I ______ so much ____ on those _______ fish that any poor _______ that eats them will die of ______.” Gar
“I lashed so much salt on those bloody fish that any poor bugger that eats them will die of thirst.” Gar
What does Gar boast about in the first scene?
he boasts of how he intentionally sabotaged his father’s business on his final day by over-salting the pollock.
ambivalent meaning
having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
What is the reality of Gar’s feelings about leaving home?
He is struggling emotionally to deal with thoughts of leaving home and missing his family and therefore the feelings of excitement and anticipation are balanced by despair, loneliness and sense of foreboding that Gar actually feels
Why and how does Gar appear to be happy about his migrating to Philadelphia?
His high spirits, singing, dancing and overall uncontainable energy and excitement
“Where will I be? In the ______ old ____! Yip-eeeeee!” Gar about getting away with over-salting the pollock)
“Where will I be? In the little old USA! Yip-eeeeee!” Gar about getting away with over-salting the pollock)
