taking 5
...r appreciated life during marriage of 19 years. This may seem casual but it is, however, serious. Characterisation • 2 LANNIE CUNNEEN • a stereotypical housewife • Shows confidence, eg. at the deli she had forgotten she was wearing her dressing gown and in the spare of the moment, she announced to everyone that it was “Versace” (pg 208) • Shown at the beginning of the chapter and therefore indicates to the reader that she is willing to stand up for herself • An overview of her life whilst talking to a psychiatrist; her life revolves around her family and the running of their household, local artists = stuck in tradition, culture (no change), desk = business, paying the bills etc. “‘nudging forty, married for twenty years, six boys, all at school, and an endless…’ Her silence lengthened and coiled about the whole room, the appalling landscapes done by local artists, the fake leather couch she had refused to use, the important desk.” (pg 211) • Lannie comes out of her shell when she swears to her husband. This indicates that she is not going to let her husband bad mouth an elderly man; shows Lannie’s compassion and friendship (p.220) • Monosyllabic word = why. Symbolises how small words are inexistent and incomprehensible to her mind as she has been overloaded with too many things to do, “she hardly heard the monosyllable of couldn’t have given a reason. She gave him numbers. In thousands.” (pg 211) • When she returns home after being at the psychiatric ward she has changed. She is able to stand up for herself and have the courage to break away from her expected stereotypical role as a mother and wife. Standing up for herself and her well being, isn’t going to be pushed around any longer. “I’m not giving up this job,’ she told him. But I’ll be back each weekend to see how you and the boys are getting along. I nee d my car’” (pg 226) • Is made to feel used by her family. She feels as though she is nothing to them. They never thanked her or showed appreciation for what she does for them. • Enjoys work coz people respect her, thank her and make her happy and laugh. This is what she was lacking when with her family. Role reversal, work should be stressful and non-enjoyable and family time should be relaxing and enjoyable. • He was appalled by a new businesslike quality in his wife’s manner.’ Shows her business like character emerging and developing. She is becoming a new person. • It is evident that throughout her dialogue the reader can identify hints of sarcasm where she calls the psychiatrist a pudgey man. • Lannie starts to show power as she challenges the patriarchal system. Her first step was to leave the house and in order to do this, she must stand up to her husband. Here, she is taking a step forward and gaining confidence and hence, showing an element of bravery. • Lannie shows initiative searching for a job, she is moving forward in life and making more meaning out of it. • “I’m sick to death of you telling them that’s women work.”(pg 221) This is an example of how Lannie is standing up for herself and telling Fred what is wrong. This criticises his ungratefulness. • “But she craved mobility and, another identity than that of a slave.” (pg 223) Shows how Lannie is desperate for a life away from Drylands and her family as she needs her freedom away from chores. • “wasted morning”(pg 223) the reader sees how Lannie does not enjoy the chores she does every morning of her life. • The old lady saying that “I don’t like husbands.” (pg 220) is symbolic of a mirror image of what she might turn out to be like if she keeps living life the way she does and grow such hatred towards her husband. Being ‘old’,...