Good morning everybody!

First of all I would like to thank you all for inviting me here to talk to you today. As you know I studied 'The Shoe Horn Sonata and I would like to share my knowledge with you. John Mistos The Shoe Horn Sonata is an expos of the experiences of women POW during the Second World War. It has made me realize how the human spirit can endure and survive such hard experiences. Bridie and Shelias friendship is a vital bond but is affected by the war and thus detached. In order for the women to reconcile and reaffirmation their inner selfs and friendship they have to reveal their secrets. Mistos dramatic technique and other devices show the deprivation and suffering the women have endured both physically and emotionally. It is through this play medium that Misto captures this exact essence, thus creating a poignant and emotionally moving play. It is often seemingly insignificant things that sustain us through difficulty. Sheila and Bridie are sustained by the immense strength of their bond which is symbolised by the motif of the chop bone. Within Act 1 Scene 5 it is introduced and Sheila describes how the two would chew on this every night , holding imaginary dinner parties. The audience is struck with irony at the importance bestowed on such a small thing. Rick implies that the women are likedogs, this degrading simile illustrates their deprivation and degradation. Furthermore within this scene Bridie tells Rick about how British missionaries were starting a choir. The music they sung became an ongoing motif for hope and happiness. This is illustrated by Sheilas positive acknowledgement that fifty voices set us free. This is further enforced by the song Bolero which he acknowledges as a Majestic and ultimately triumphant song. These women were able to overcome great difficulties and hardship despite their religious and cultural differences. In fact, it is through Misto's juxtaposition of these that we are made most aware of their bond. You must also discuss the significance of sacrifice. Sheila reveals in Act 1 Scene 8 how she went to the japs to obtain quinine tablets to save Bridies life. This is an extraordinarily heroic sacrifice, paradoxically reversing the mothering persona. Misto further enforces our understanding through the characterization of Sheila wearing gloves, "the sign of a lady. Furthermore it is integral to note that the juxtaposition of the title furthers Mistos portrayal of their friendship. Since both the shoehorn and the sonata take on symbolic significance representing friendship. This concept of their friendship is made clear by Mistos devices. After the war the two become separated and as a result the ongoing fears of the war cannot be resolved by their companionships any more, because of this the women become emotionally scarred and inherit post-war affects. This brings me to the concept of the effects of war on Bridie and Sheila. In Act2 Scene 12 Bridies ongoing fear of the Japanese race is revealed. She goes on to explain how she was shopping in The David Jones Food Hall when a busload of japans tourists surrounded her and she started to shake and leave w/o paying for biscuits. This is quite moving as it clearly highlights her distress. The poignancy of this scene is enhanced by Mistos tragic-comic portrayal. The scene seems trivial to the audience but is devastating to Bridie. Misto further enhances the moment by his meticulous stage directions e.g. [reluctantly and embarrassed] and [in mortified disbelief]. This exposes her emotions to the audience and also adding to the comical humor. This scene is quite light hearted in contrast to the rest of the play and you should take note of this funny yet sad portrayal Misto exhibits. Similarly, we learn of the devastating affects of Sheila. She discloses to Bridie how every night when I fall asleep, Lipstick Larrys waiting. This is quite a severe after affect of the war and is very poignant. The emotive language engaged in Bridie and Sheilas duologue showcases her utter fear. Misto creates empathy for her in this scene from the audience again by his articulate stage directions i.e. [sadly] and [haunted]. This is a very touching scene and her emotion adds to the

effect. Yet Sheila realises to find peace and redemption the only way to get it is to tell the truth. Telling the truth is a powerful tool the women use and you must understand this. The play is set in two locales, the private motel room and the public interviewing room. The womens secrets and issues of the present are confronted in the motel room whereas the past is dealt within the interviews. The juxtaposition of the two locales is effective in disclosing to the audience what secrets the women wish to hold from Rick. Hence when Sheila reveals that she is going to tell the truth the audience who are already placed in an omniscient position are therefore compelled to find out what their outcome is. Their positive outcome gained from their disclosure is made clear when Bridie hands Sheilas shoe horn back. This is an integral scene to note since the shoe horns symbolism of their strong wartime companionship is now reunified. Misto further enhances this perception of reconciliation by the playing of The Blue Danube which ironically is the same song played to the women when they are liberated from the war. Yet again the motif of music as a sign of hope and life is exhibited by Misto to conclude the play. Keep in mind that the women were freed from the wars efforts but some burdens they faced during the war had actually been as a result of their own governments intervention. Alright now lastly Id like to mention the British government and the arrogance they have been portrayed as. Within Act 1 Scene 1 Bridie expresses how she and hundreds of others more were evacuated from Singapore. This is a pivotal scene to note since it reflects the Britishs ignorance. The dialogue of a British captain is oblivious and carefree to the danger of the Japanese i.e. they slanty eyes..how can they shoot?. The Japanese eventually come to undermine the British and thus defy this statement. At the end of this scene Misto cleverly employs the song Rule Britannia with the lyrics Britons never never never will be slaves. The audience is struck by the dramatic irony this conveys. Misto also incorporates of projected of the fall of Singapore to make his viewpoint clear. He blatantly tells this to the audience with his authorial comment Dont listen to rumour to add meaning to the scene and express to the audience how idiotic the British Government was. The play is an exquisite piece and it truly captures the real experiences of women from the war. Misto himself describes Sheila and Bridie as composite characters, thus implying that they are representative of all the women in their situation. This is excellent as he gives these useless mouths a medium to express their catharsis and expose the truth behind women at war. I hope you understand the themes I have just explained for example friendship, truth, war & its effects and survival. Make sure you pack your essays with techniques; hey you can use some of mine if you like just remember you only get out what you put in. Well I would like to conclude today by thanking you again for having me and may I wish you with the very best of luck with your HSC exams