The document discusses themes from a novel such as despair, death, suicide, and relationships. It provides context on the author Clare Boylan and some of her works. It examines idiomatic phrases used in the story and literary devices like metaphor and simile. Several excerpts from the story are presented that describe suicidal thoughts and symbolism. The document analyzes what the main ideas of the story may be and who the main characters are of June, Muriel, and Edna. It leaves open what ultimately happened to the character of Edna.

1. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Edna, Back from America

2. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
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.”

3. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Some of Her Books
• A Nail on the Head
• Concerning Virgins
• That Bad Woman

4. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Idiomatic Phrases
battle axe
used to describe a woman who
is cutting or mean like a
weapon and also tough

5. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Idiomatic Phrases
daft as a bush
Not very smart.
In American English
dumb as dirt

6. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Idiomatic Phrases
wits end
out of options and not sure what to
do

7. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
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.

8. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Literary Terms: Simile
comparing one thing to
another to give imagery
He is a pig.
She is a black widow.

9. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
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?

10. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Metaphor or Simile?
She’s still a battle axe…
What image does
this portray?

11. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Other symbolism?
•Disgorged
•Eyes glittering with greed
•Break the spell

12. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Some Themes
• Despair /Death/ Suicide
• Desperation
• Identity Crisis
• Violence
• Relationships

13. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
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.

14. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Johnny Manel
“Suicide is Painless”

15. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Song Excerpt
Through early morning fog I see
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make

16. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Song Excerpt
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
So this is all I have to say.
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please.

17. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Suicide Is Never
the Answer.
There’s Always
Hope.

18. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Other Themes?

19. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Main Idea?
•Be careful what you ask for,
you might get it.
•Nothing in life is free.
•Desperate people do desperate
things.
•Others?

20. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net

21. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
Who?
• June
• Muriel
• Ted
• Edna
• Sid / Sylvie / Mom

22. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
When / Where?
Modern Era
Small Tourist Town in Ireland
Could be any small western village
/ town

23. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
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

24. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
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

25. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
What happened to
Edna?
• Did she run away from home
years ago?
• Did Sid kill her?
• What do you think?

26. Coleman’s Classroom www.clmn.net
For More Information
Email Mrs. C
ccoleman@clmn.net
Visit Coleman’s Classroom
www.clmn.net