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Published byWidya Liana Setiawan Modified over 6 years ago
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‘American Dream’, Hire Purchase and Materialism
Key AO3 to consider The Cold War During World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union fought together as allies against the Axis powers. However, the relationship between the two nations was a tense one. Americans had long been wary of Soviet communism and concerned about Russian leader Joseph Stalin’s tyrannical, blood-thirsty rule of his own country. For their part, the Soviets resented the Americans’ decades-long refusal to treat the USSR as a legitimate part of the international community as well as their delayed entry into World War II, which resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of Russians. After the war ended, these grievances ripened into an overwhelming sense of mutual distrust and enmity. Postwar Soviet expansionism in Eastern Europe fueled many Americans’ fears of a Russian plan to control the world. Meanwhile, the USSR came to resent what they perceived as American officials’ bellicose rhetoric, arms buildup and interventionist approach to international relations. In such a hostile atmosphere, no single party was entirely to blame for the Cold War; in fact, some historians believe it was inevitable. ‘Red Scare’ is promotion of widespread fear by a society or state about a potential rise of communism, anarchism, or radical leftism. The term is most often used to refer to two periods in the history of the United States with this name. Communism was widely feared – see poster. ‘American Dream’, Hire Purchase and Materialism American Dream - the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved. Hire Purchase- this meant that people could buy expensive goods Eg. Fridge Freezers and pay for them later, promoting materialistic ideals. Materialism- a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. Americans in the Post war 50s and 60s were being encouraged to spend and dream big with many believing that amassing goods and achieving ‘success’ job, house etc. would bring automatic happiness. McCarthyism McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence.[1] The term refers to U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy and has its origins in the period in the United States known as the Second Red Scare, lasting roughly from 1947 to 1956 and characterized by heightened political repression as well as a campaign spreading fear of Communist influence on American institutions and of espionage by Soviet agents. Women’s roles & The ‘Glass Ceiling’ Women’s roles in the 50s/60s were widely domestic with few rights Eg. Financial. Consider the jobs the women hold or the way patriarchy pervades their lives. Are the men in charge? Glass Ceiling – an idea that reflects the invisible barriers women and minorities face in the workplace, being unable to pass certain levels in their profession eg. Female CEOs
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How do Martha and George talk to each other at first?
Act Key events/ideas Contextual Link Quotes (AO1) Effects/inference (AO2) One – Fun and Games Home from the party How do Martha and George talk to each other at first? Who is in charge? Does George want guests? How are they characterised? Male and Female roles Guest Arrival First impressions of the hosts/guests How do Martha and George try to sabotage one another? What role does alcohol play? Power struggles Who holds the power? Demands most respect? Alpha male competition Academia Physicality Sexual Prowess
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Martha tells Honey about the son She changes for Nick
Act Key events/ideas Contextual Link (AO3) Quotes (AO1) Effects/inference (AO2) One – Fun and Games The ‘son’ is introduced Martha tells Honey about the son She changes for Nick Flirtation and power struggles Martha and Nick begin openly Flirting Martha and George antagonise one another through flirtation and embarrassment/home truths Martha and George’s past Martha’s father and his influence George's career stagnation: Martha’s disgust Act 1 closes with parallel dialogue as Martha and George speak over each other Honey needs to vomit
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Honey has run off to be sick Nick and George try to communicate
Act Key events/ideas Contextual Link Quotes (AO1) Effects/inference (AO2) Two - Walpurgisnacht Nick and Honey’s past/Male bonding Honey has run off to be sick Nick and George try to communicate Nick explains the hysterical pregnancy George’s childhood story – Humiliate the Host George’s long monologue There is tacit yet volatile peace between them Nick reveals Honey’s background Nick brags Martha comandeer’s story, faces strangulation George’s story revealed as a book – Martha’s fathers intervention Dancing begins, flirtation becomes explicit George throttles Martha
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George attacks Honey to get to Nick ‘Mousie’ story
Act Key events/ideas Contextual Link Quotes (AO1) Effects/inference (AO2) Two - Walpurgisnacht ‘Get the Guests’ George attacks Honey to get to Nick ‘Mousie’ story George and Nick now at full out war Martha tries to enrage George Violence increases George and Martha threaten each other openly Martha becomes tactile with Nick, dancing and flirtation becomes explicit Martha and Nick’s flirtation escalates George watches passively, angered but affecting ignorance George reads his book, they kiss Wind chimes Honey reveals she doesn’t want kids George decides to ‘kill the son’ Martha and Nick move to the bedroom
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Martha enters alone and disappointed(?)
Act Key events/ideas Contextual Link Quotes (AO1) Effects/inference (AO2) Three – The Exorcism Martha reappears, disappointed with Nick. Martha enters alone and disappointed(?) She attacks Nick and shows genuine reliance/love upon/for George Orders Nick around as her ‘Houseboy’ George Reappears determined to avenge George enters full of mischief ‘flowers for the dead’ Roel reversal, Nick told to make the drinks George rejects Martha’s intimacy, ignores her cry for no more games ‘Bringing up Baby’ George has become determined to punish Martha George’s Latin/prayer chanting Begins to reveal the ‘death’
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Honey decides she wants a child
Act Key events/ideas Contextual Link Quotes (AO1) Effects/inference (AO2) Three – The Exorcism George announces the son’s ‘death’ Honey decides she wants a child George ‘cuts off the story’ or kills the son Martha’s anger, helplessness at his decision ‘You know the rules’ Nick and Honey Disappear Nick begins to understand and in disgust/sympathy retreats Honey remains fairly ignorant of events George tells them to leave George and Martha alone and frightened Monosyllabic and elliptical conversation George sings to Martha Her frailty and his exposed
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