Bold Girls - Dierdre Flashcards
What do we know about Deirdre?
Deirdre is a sixteen year old girl who is desperate to learn the truth about her father Michael. She has not had a good life. Her mother neglects her and the male role models in her life are either absent or violent .
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Dierdre is an outsider?
E - Stage directions: ‘ Deirdre is not in this room, she’s crouching on all fours on her own talking out of darkness in which only her face is visible. She is wary young.’
A - While other characters are safe and warm in Marie’s home, Deirdre is trapped outside. She is on ‘ all fours ‘ which makes us think of an animal. It makes us think that she is lonely and frightened
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Deirdre is determined?
E - ‘ I’m wet, I’m cold. I want to get inside. There’s burning making the sky black. The sky’s full of rain and the sound of the helicopter. I want to get inside. Can’t keep me out.’
A - While this underlines Deirdre’s outsider status as an outsider who is exposed to the harsh outside world, it also reveals more about her personality. Her repetition of ‘ I want to get inside ‘ makes her ambition very clear. She wants to invade the comfortable domestic world represented by Marie’s home. The final line shows that she will stop at nothing in her attempts to achieve this.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Deirdre lacks basic manners and courtesy. She is also a thief?
E - She does not thank Marie for her hospitality and takes a shower without asking permission. Moreover, she steals Marie’s clothing and earrings as well as Cassie’s two hundred pounds.
A - This perhaps suggests that Deirdre is self-centred as she wants takes what she wants without thinking about the possible consequences. It may also suggest desperation. She is not so weary of her second rate life that she is willing to involve herself in criminal activity to escape the harsh reality of the outside world.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Deirdre is destructive?
A - ‘ I need a knife. A wee blade of my own… A wee bit of hard truth you could hold in your hand and point were you liked.’
A - ‘ She looks at the broad, smooth stretch of material then starts to slash at it, ripping it, trampling it till she’s breathless.’
E - Deirdre’s determination is apparent in her willingness to destroy obstacles to the truth in a violent way. She believes that a knife empowers her and gives her the chance to get the truth on her own terms.
Could also talk about how she destroys Cassie and Marie
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Deirdre is cunning?
E - ‘ It was in a car. A blue car.’
A - As the pressure is turned on her, Deirdre subtly lets Cassie know of the affair between Cassie and Michael and is willing to use his knowledge for her own purpose.
What is the evidence and analysis for the observation; Deirdre is neglected and abused?
E - ‘ She’ll have locked me out.’
A - Deirdre’s mother is guilty of terrible neglect. Instead of worrying about the whereabouts of her sixteen year old daughter, she is willing to leave her locked out when the streets are a war zone. Moreover, she continues to live with a man who is abusing her daughter physically.
What are the roles Deirdre plays in the play
- A conventional charater
- A ‘ghost’
- A parasite
- A catalyst
- A link
An observer and a commentator
How do we know Deirdre plays the role of; a convectional character?
- With a past
- With a present
- With a purpose
- With typical characteristics of a teenager
How do we know Deirdre plays the role of; a ‘ ghost ‘?
- She resembles Marie’s dead husband
- She wears clothes which force Marie to remember her past.
How do we know Deirdre plays the role of; a parasite?
- She exploits Marie’s kindness and hospitality
- She steals literally and metaphorically from others
- Defines herself in relation to other people
How do we know Deirdre plays the role of; a catalyst?
- Reveals the past
- Forces confessions
- Uncovers the ‘ truth.’
- Destroys dreams
- Changes the mood of the play
How do we know Deirdre plays the role of; a link?
- Links Marie’s home and the violence and crime outside.
- Links the past and present
- Between the present and the future
How do we know Deirdre plays the role of; an observer and commentator?
- On the physical setting
- Evoking mood and atmosphere
- As a spy or detective
