Line+Delivery


 * Line Delivery**

//**LINE DELIVERY ** Line delivery is used throughout the transcript ‘The Shoe-Horn Sonata’ to emphasise the mood, emotion and tone of the set. This helps the reader to create a distinctly visual image of the atmosphere, primarily between the two main characters; Bridie and Sheila. “There were Aussies too who were hardly saints” is Sheila’s comeback to Bridie’s superficial stab at the British Army. Sheila delivers this line not only to Bridie, but straight to the camera, to the audience. This suggests that she is a very determined, defensive character, especially when it comes to her country’s name. It also suggests that the two women constantly clash about their different countries and backgrounds. This is again emphasised in act one, scene eight, when Bridie and Sheila are attempting to tranquilly address the issues and problems that have kept them distanced for the past fifty years. Whilst Bridie is trying to respond to Sheila’s grim and infuriated questions, it is clear through the use of line delivery, that she is “[hurt]”, especially when she asks Sheila if she had missed her, expecting the worst of her question. Again this is seen in act two, scene one, where the women are arguing and Bridie refers to Shelia as a “whore” and her reaction to that is one that is clearly “[stung]”, this brings out a physical response in Sheila who slaps Bridie. However, in act two, scene fourteen, the friendship that was in threat of destruction, sees a glimpse of hope as the two women talk about visiting each other and “[delightedly]” making plans to have Christmas together “-like the ones we always dreamed about, puddings and hams and –”. The friendship is being rebuilt as the women talk “[tenderly]” and “[sincerely]” to each other, about the future they hope to share. Line delivery can help create a visual image of a character and the emotions they are experiencing. It allows the audience to understand the meaning behind lines and enhances the mood of the set.  //

Tone, pace, volume, pausing, intonation - how are these used to represent character's personalities?