Edna Back from America Lesson

Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net

Edna, Back from America


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.”


Some of Her Books

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


Idiomatic Phrases

battle axe

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


Idiomatic Phrases

daft as a bush

Not very smart. In American English

dumb as dirt


Idiomatic Phrases

wits end

out of options and not sure what to do


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.


Literary Terms: Simile

comparing one thing to another to give imagery

He is a pig.She is a black widow.


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?


Metaphor or Simile?

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


Other symbolism?

• Disgorged• Eyes glittering with greed• Break the spell


Some Themes

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


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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIIqYqtR1lY


Johnny Manel“Suicide is Painless”


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


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.


Suicide Is Never the Answer.

There’s Always Hope.


Other Themes?


Main Idea?

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

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

• Others?



Who?

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


When / Where?

Modern Era

Small Tourist Town in IrelandCould be any small western village /

town


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


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


What happened to Edna?

• Did she run away from home years ago?

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


For More Information

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Education

Edna Back from America Lesson