Shoe-Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 1, scene 3 (Fall of Singapore)

What do I
know?
How do I
know?
Distinctive
elements


Theme: Fear Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect

1. Visualisation of the
Giang Bee sinking
and Sheila floating in
the sea

Repetition

jump for it, jump for it
This highlights that the jumping is the last hope for these young women soldiers
who are grasping for any chance of survival. This allows the
audience to understand the circumstances of the event which has taken
place and realise the urgency and helplessness these women.

2. Slides of
Singapore Harbour
are projected onto the
screen- filled with
burning ships.
Photographs


The image of the burning ships.

Images of women and children
boarding ships, clutching toys and
waving goodbye.
Reinforces the fear due to the circumstances of the violence involved with the
Japanese invasion of Singapore. The word burning alludes to the loss of hope
the women would be experiencing due to their lack of safety.

Irony is established through the depiction of happy people whilst such a disastrous
event is being discussed. The allusion of happiness allows for the
loss of hope to be emphasised, thus highlighting the fear of the passengers as a
result of the burning of their ship.
















Theme:
Mateship

3. Young Bridie &
Young Sheila singing
a few (waterlogged
lines from
Jerusalem p. 35)

Music


The image illustrates camaraderie between Bridie and Sheila as they try to
convince each other not to fear. This alludes to the alliance formed between Bridie
and Sheila as symbolised through the lyrics of the song. This reinforces
their strength.

Through the use of imagery, their holding of hands emphasises their mateship
whilst singing the song to comfort one another and hence unite them. Furthermore,
a sense of rhythm is creating as the two women discuss their time before the
approach of the Japanese ship, highlighting their previous distance from one
another. Therefore, reiterating their friendship as on formed during a time of
hardship.


4. Sheila reaching out
for Bridies hand. P.
35

Stage
Direction

Sheila instinctively reaches out
to take Bridies hand. They hold
hands
Illustrated through body language Sheila and Bridie exhibit their vulnerability
through their recollection of experiences. It further highlights their connection and
bond as companions throughout the duration of the war. Moreover, the stage
direction displays to the audience the comradery between the two women and
provides the audience with an insight into the depth of their relationship.




Shoe-Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 1, scene 3 (Fall of Singapore)








What do I
know?
How do I
know?
Distinctive
elements
Theme:
Patriotism
Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect

5. Pictures of Singapore
contrast with the
Japanese flag and the
overwhelming power of
the Japanese

Contrasting
images/
Juxtaposition
We see a large Japanese flag
Brilliantly illuminated as the scene
continues
Instils fear within the characters as they realize theyve now
become POWs. This highlights the power of the Japanese people
as the flag represents the national pride and how they have taken over Singapore.



6. Images of the
Japanese Leaders
taking Singapore from
the British

Photograph
Japanese battalions marching
through the streets. As the song
reaches its climax, we see hundreds
of victorious Japanese soldiers, their
arms raised
Culminates the patriotism of the Japanese soldiers through, the relentless action by parading
in the streets and chanting victory as they take over Singapore and overthrow the power of
the British. Emphasising the overbearing control and dominance, which the Japanese
possessed at the time. Additionally, their arms raised conveys their superiority, reminiscing
of Adolf Hitler when he dominated the Jews.



Shoe-Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 1, scene 5 ( Bolero and the Shoe Horn)

What do I
know?
How do I
know?
Distinctive
elements
Theme: Fear Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect
7. * Photograph of
terrifying Japanese
warrior represents
Japanese cruelty and
violence.

Photographs

We see photographs of the women in
Japanese prison camps- lining up for
food, sleeping in barracks, carrying
water.


The photographs acts as a visual tool to remind the audience that there were very real
women who experienced very similar situations to Bridie
and Sheila. These experiences depicted the hardship and the dominating presence of the
Japanese.
Furthermore, fear is evidently instilled into these prisoners of war who
had to obey strict orders and routines.
8. Young Sheila,
beaten, juxtaposed with
the joy of the women,
highlighting their
resilience and unity
Pg. 47

Music
Juxtaposition
We forgot the Japs - we forgot our
hunger - our boils - barbed wire -
everything together we made this
glorious sound that rose above the
camp - rose and rose and took us
with it
This is indicative of how the women were encouraged to unite as a front as a result, to
combat the fear that was mutually experienced by all of them. Additionally, the fear was
overcome and became obsolete with the use of music and thus juxtaposes their current
situation faced with fear with a moment in time where they experience little fear as a result
of their resilience and unity through music.


9. Visualisation of the
murdered women of
Radji Beach
emphasises the
brutality of the
Japanese and reminds
us that Bridie and
Sheila were lucky to
survive.
Pg. 41

Imagery


They died from drowning or
sharks or their life jackets

Demonstrates the savage nature of the Japanese soldiers and the terror which was instilled
into both Sheila and Bridie, further highlighting the fear that accompanied the death
of the women. Thus, communicating to the audience that the two women were lucky to
be alive.



























10. * The blood soaked
rag

Symbolism

Shed taken the rag from the
hospital hut and used it as a last
resort

Evokes the sense of dread and fear that the women was experiencing when entertaining
the Japanese soldiers and the real possibility of having to sacrifice themselves
sexually to the Japanese enemies.
In addition, the rag symbolised the notion of being saved and the
communal effort in supporting one another during inevitable
circumstances.
Shoe-Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 1, scene 5 ( Bolero and the Shoe Horn)





What do I
know?
How do I
know?
Distinctive
elements
Theme: Mateship Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect

11. Visualisation of
Bridie & Sheila
chewing on the chop
bone

Symbolism/motif

a chop-bone of course


Creates empathy and demonstrates the loyalty between Bridie and Sheila. The chop bone
symbolises their only source of survival and a memory which they both share even after
they parted away. Even though they were treated


12. * Visualisation of
women singing
Ravels Bolero


Music
Lyrics from English translation
I was checking this girl next door
When her parents went out
She phoned said hey boy, come on
right around
So I knock at the door


The song lyrics are indicative of the loss of adulthood that these women
have encountered due to war. By forming and singing in the choir, the
women creates a sense of salvation and escape from the torment and
suffering imparted by the Japanese. The audience experiences the
soothing and uplifting power of music and visualises the unity displayed
by these women, demonstrating the notion that friendships
can overcome obstacles and provide glimpses of hope.


13. * Bridie tapping
on the shoe horn

Sound effect &
body language of
Bridie tapping the
shoe-horn

I stood out front - like this ( Bridie
stands) tapping my shoe- horn to
keep the pace while Miss Bruburgh
conducted ( Taps her imaginary
shoe-horn)..

The shoehorn acts as a prominent symbol for both Birdie & Sheila. As
Bridie does not play an instrument, the shoe-horn actively extended as a source of hope for
Bridie who is able to participate in the choir
by tapping on the shoe-horn finding solace and comfort with the other prisoners of war.

Shoe-Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 2, scene 10 ( You should have let me die)


What do I know? How do I
know?
Distinctive
elements
Theme: Survival Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect

14. Giant photograph of
women bowing to
Japanese soldiers:
Photographic



Illustrates the power struggle between the women and the Japanese. Clearly demonstrates
to the audience the inferior and superior powers in the camp.

15. Visualisation of the
subjugation of the
women by the Japanese.

Dialogue

Every night when I fall asleep he
calls to me and I go to him - and no
one can change that.
Emphasises the power the Japanese held during the war, women were subjugated by the
men. Many women now forced into a time of constant fear and struggle only to now
depend on one another for their survival. The men could demand what they wanted and
no one [could] change that. Thus surviving became of prominence to the women in their
struggle for escape in their new found horrific state of powerlessness.
16. Bridie and Sheila
discuss the means they
would endure to
survive.
Syntax (ellipsis)

Id starve for you. Die for you.
Anything but
But that. Youd never have done what
I did for you
(page 71)

The ellipsis demonstrates the absence of Bridies willingness to truly expose herself to
save Sheila. Irony is established as Sheila was willing to go this
extent rather than Bridie shows the unpredictability of what
survival meant to people and what this forces people to endure to survive. Hence
highlighting the importance of morals within the means of survival.

- different for each individual depending on circumstances





















17. Visualisation: Sheila
being haunted by the
memory of Lipstick
Larry.
Imagery Every night when I fall asleep,
lipstick Larrys waiting. He calls to
me and I go to him- and no one can
change that. Not even you.
This exemplifies the physical and psychological distress, Sheila is continually enduring
from her sacrifice many years later. Reinforcing the point of sacrifice in order to survive.
Lipstick Larry is metaphorical of the haunting image of a Japanese officer.

Shoe- Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 2, scene 13 (Blue Danube and the End of the War)

What do I know? How do I
know?
Distinctive
elements
Theme: Survival Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect

18. Hiroshima
bombing. This image
is juxtaposed with the
late war deaths in
Belalu.


Photographic

pp.80-81
photograph of the atomic bomb
that destroyed Hiroshima eight
army nurses died in Belalu in the
final months of war

This highlights the horrific times within the war and the devastating impact it had upon the
people, only to have to continue on and push through the effects. Which is then juxtaposed with
the death of nurses who had survived the war and to then only die at the end of the war, being so
close to surviving the war.

19. Post-war
celebrations
suggesting the
celebratory tone of
the era.


Music/sound

p. 83
Photographs of Australians
celebrating peace its sound is
both poignant and joyous

This illustrates a tone of happiness and triumph due to the sound of the joyous music of Danny
Boy. Furthermore, the images of Martin Pace in Sydney - full of people - alludes to the proud
nature of their survival.
The photographs reinforce why the women were fighting in the first place, alluding to their
decision to help their country. Thus, their survival is emulated through the joy of those they were
trying to protect.

20. A Japanese brass
band playing the Blue
Danube waltz brings
humour and pathos to
the end of the war
experience.



Tone
Music/sound

p. 82
Trumpets - drums - clarinets -
trombones. They were a band.
An army brass band. We didnt
know whether to laugh or cry.

The shift in tone demonstrates to the audience the relief felt by Sheila and Bridie on the realisation
that they would survive the war. Moreover, the music and sound displayed illustrates the two
women's ability to find peace within the chaos, further highlighting their strength to survive and
continue on.


Theme: Fear


21. Japanese soldiers
rounding up all the
prisoners of war to
the top of the hill


Ellipsis

p. 81
We knew theyd be waiting at the
top with machine guns. And...as we
got closer -

The use of ellipsis emphasises Sheilas fear and reluctance to continue, demonstrating how the
memories are still present and faced everyday.



22. Bridie and Sheila
walking out of their
camp after 1287 days
My knees were
shaking - I
was - terribly
frightened. I
said What if
the Japs come
after us?

Sometimes I
dragged
Sheila.
Sometimes
Sheila dragged
me
Body language, figurative
language, rhetorical question

p. 84
Illustrates the fear, which is crippling Sheilas capability to comprehend the fact that her and
Bridie were free from the camp./ The visualisation of Sheilas weakness the traumatic experience
they have been through, and its lasting impacts. The rhetorical question alludes to Bridie and
Sheila's continuing fear despite their freedom, as highlighted through fact that they never got
closure therefore the fear was scarring and remained present.

* Reluctance to leave the camp due to the crippling fear they face as alluded to through the word
dragged which reinforces their restraint in leaving the security they formed as the camp was all
they knew.



























23. Bridie stealing a
packet of short bread
from David Jones
food hall
It wasnt
Bridies fault.
Some
Japanese
tourists scared
her - the sound
of their voices
- chattering
away - well it
brought it all
back

p. 85

Aural imagery
Stage direction - [defensively]
Reiterates the scaring impact the war camp posed on Bridie and Sheila's mental state as alluded to
through the image of the Japanese tourists. The connotation of brought it all back, highlights the
repetitive fear invoked upon Sheila and Bridie as a result of their treatment by the Japanese.

The use of a defensive tone alludes to the innocent nature of the crime committed, thus creating a
sense of irony. Through this it is apparent that fear caused this mistake to occur which in turn is
understandable due to the events Bridie was forced to endure.
Shoe- Horn Sonata Distinctively Visual Analysis- Act 2, scene 14 (Farewell)

What do I know? How do I know?
Distinctive
elements
Theme: Mateship Distinctive image Technique Examples Effect

24. Sheila reaching for
the suitcase just in time
to help Bridie.

Motif/repetition

p. 89 I chi-, ni-, San

The use of this repetition, emphasises their relationship and how their experiences of being
prisoners of war have brought

25. Bridie giving
Sheila her address

Stage directions

p. 89 Sheila takes the piece of
paper
These stage directions highlight the renewal of an old friendship and the initiative to
continue staying in touch long after their interview. Bridie is continuing to peruse to
role as the dominating figure in the their friendship

26. Sheila handing
back the Shoe- horn.


Motif
Symbolism


p. 90
im sorry I kept it so long
Go on are you sure ?


This highly depicts, the final resolution between Sheila and Bridie, which is symbolic
of the strong mateship through the shoehorn. Alluding to how the bond, which was
established throughout the war, is still strong and apparent to this day.



Sheila and Bridie move
to the waltz of The
Blue Danube
Imagery... p. 91
Ouch! Be careful! Those are my
feet youre treading on.
Sheila Richards- youre a
whinging bloody Pom!
Justifies how their friendship has been able to withstand time and surpassed all their
traumatic experiences. Additionally, Ouch! Be careful! exemplifies the mutual attitudes
towards each other even in times of hardship.