Bold Girls - Cassie Flashcards
What do we know about Cassie
Cassie is an extroverted mother of two. She is the daughter of Sean and Nora, the brother of Martin and is married to Joe. She admires her dead father and despises her husband. Her desperation to escape Belfast reveals a lot about her character. Unlike Marie, she is not a natural mother. Moreover, she has had a number of extra-marital affairs, including one with Marie’s husband Michael.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie is not naturally motherly. This is one reason why she struggles to fit into a society in which women are valued for being good mothers?
E - ‘ Cassie scares Michael Junior by describing what will happen to him if he keeps eating a tub of raspberry ice-cream syrup: ‘ I’ll tell you what happens to all those men that drink whiskey and all those wee boys that drink raspberry ice-cream syrup; their intestines get eaten away and their stomachs get eaten away and all the other bits just shrivel up and die ‘
A - Here, Cassie uses fear as a controlling device. This shows she is willing to achieve her goals using methods which may hurt/distress/scare the child. These are not qualities we associate with good motherhood.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie is insensitive and can seem uncaring?
E -In scene one, Nora says: ‘ God forgive me for brining a child into the world with a heart of flint and a younger to match.’
A - This metaphor portrays Cassie as a cold person who is incapable of sensitivity or sympathy. The fact that her own mother is saying this reveals a negative aspect of her personality.
Could also talk about Heart like a Brillo pad
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie does not agree with the values of a society which values men over women?
E - ‘ Oh so should I just get back in my box and wear bin liners till he’s out should I ‘
A - Cassie objects to her mother’s belief that she should not wear revealing clothes in the absence of her husband. She likes looking good and wants to grab the attention of others.
E - ‘ Do you know that you never put a plate of food in front of me before he had his ‘
A - Cassie was hurt by the clear favouritism showed to her brother Martin. She knows that society values men over women but does not accept these values.
Could also talk about Cassie’s dialogue about how her and her brother were treated differently
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie is very confident and enjoys being the centre of attention?
E - When Marie informs her that everyone is watching her dance, Cassie says: ‘ let them.’
A - Cassie is very different to Marie. While Marie is uncomfortable with attention, Cassie thrives on it.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie is forthright and confrontational?
E - When Marie fails to confront Deirdre over the thefts, Cassie takes it upon herself to do so: ‘ I hope you’ve not taken a fancy to anything else that’s caught your eye, like my handbag.’
A- Cassie refuses to act in any way which may be considered weak. She is annoyed by Marie’s submissiveness and feels that protecting her friend is her duty.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie is selfish?
E - ‘ I could leave her the children.’
A - Cassie is so desperate to escape that she is even willing to leave her own children behind. This again shows that
she is not a kind and caring mother
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie views herself in a negative way?
E - ‘ Heart like a Brillo pad, that’s me.’
E - ‘ I’m just wicked.’
A- In both of these quotes, Cassie shows that she does not have a high opinion of herself. She sees herself as being unkind, uncaring and lacking in humanity.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Cassie is not a good freind?
E - That’s what I’m telling you Marie. We were both lying to you for years.’
A - Cassie has not only betrayed Marie but has kept this information to herself for years. She deliberately tries to destroy Marie’s happiness out of jealousy as she herself is deeply unhappy having learned that her money has been stolen.
