Edna Back from America Lesson

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Edna, Back from America

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Clare Boylan

1948-2006

“Talking about ideas for a novel is a bit like showing pictures of the ultrasound if you're pregnant. Until they're out in the world, they can only be wonderful to you.” 

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Some of Her Books

• A Nail on the Head• Concerning Virgins• That Bad Woman

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Idiomatic Phrases

battle axe

used to describe a woman who is cutting or mean like a weapon and also tough

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Idiomatic Phrases

daft as a bush

Not very smart. In American English

dumb as dirt

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Idiomatic Phrases

wits end

out of options and not sure what to do

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Literary Terms: Metaphor

using like or as in a phrase to compare one thing to another to give imagery

He is as messy as a pig.She is like a black widow.

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Literary Terms: Simile

comparing one thing to another to give imagery

He is a pig.She is a black widow.

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Metaphor or Simile?

June racked her at her face and hair with her fingers as if a growth of cobwebs enclosed her.

What image does this portray?

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Metaphor or Simile?

She’s still a battle axe…What image does this portray?

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Other symbolism?

• Disgorged• Eyes glittering with greed• Break the spell

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Some Themes

• Despair /Death/ Suicide• Desperation• Identity Crisis• Violence• Relationships

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Suicidal

• Nobody wanted me then and nobody cares about me now.

• If she had gone into the water and been fished out the following day there would be nothing to identify her.

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Johnny Manel“Suicide is Painless”

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Song Excerpt

Through early morning fog I seeVisions of the things to beThe pains that are withheld for meI realize and I can see...That suicide is painlessIt brings on many changesAnd I can take or leave it if I please.I try to find a way to make

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Song Excerpt

The game of life is hard to playI'm gonna lose it anywayThe losing card I'll someday laySo this is all I have to say.That suicide is painlessIt brings on many changesAnd I can take or leave it if I please.

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Suicide Is Never the Answer.

There’s Always Hope.

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Other Themes?

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Main Idea?

• Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

• Nothing in life is free.• Desperate people do desperate things.

• Others?

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Who?

• June• Muriel• Ted• Edna• Sid / Sylvie / Mom

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When / Where?

Modern Era

Small Tourist Town in IrelandCould be any small western village /

town

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What

• June is desperate for a place• Muriel is desperate for a family

caretaker• Both lie about Edna to meet their

needs• June not sure it is worth the cost

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Why?

Muriel’s Problem• Sylvie is insane• Sid is violent

possibly killed Edna• The mother has

advanced Alzheimer's disease

June’s Problem• No Money• Homeless• No family• Unloved

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What happened to Edna?

• Did she run away from home years ago?

• Did Sid kill her?• What do you think?

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For More Information

Email Mrs. C ccoleman@clmn.net

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