Form and Structure
FORM AND STRUCTURE `A Taste of Honey' is in two acts, both containing two scenes, and set in two flats. The play could be described as episodic, due to the fact that within the same situation by using a blackout, the play has moved on months from the previous scene (i.e. Jo's pregnancy in Act II). Delaney has used a Brechtian device with using episodes to show different aspects of the characters lives, and how they fit together in the plot. The structure of the play is fairly basic as it follows the Brechtian influence of a Linear plot(beginning, middle, end) i.e. the play is easy to follow which symbolises the characters lives - monotonous and basically the same situations arising from one day to the next. However, a element of Stanislavski is used as the technique of naturalistic/realistic drama (soap opera effect) is apparent. `A Taste of Honey' follows the life of a young girl call Jo over the period of approximately 12 - 18 months. It is realistic in the sense that it portrays how working class people live and the struggles they have to endure, which would therefore allow the audience to relate to this and affect them emotionally. This relates to Stanislavski's aim of wanting to depict the working class and show the rich and privileged how they live (realities of society). This idea is also indicated throughout the outcome of the play - the initial characters in the
How might an audience react to Act One Scene Two in A Taste of Honey? What social comments are being made here?
Katherine Allen 0D How might an audience react to Act One Scene Two in A Taste of Honey? What social comments are being made here? Back in the late 1950s, audiences who would go to see plays such as A Taste of Honey would see things a lot differently and react in a different way to audiences seeing the play today. In general, people were shocked much more easily at the time when Shelagh Delaney wrote the play. Back then, people of different races would not have been accepted into the white community, homosexual acts were illegal, and hardly anybody lived in poor conditions, as did Helen and Jo. Some members of the audience may even have been offended that the area in which they lived was being portrayed as having people such as Helen and Jo living in it. Issues raised in the play would have been seen as much larger problems in the late 1950s, than they would now. Compared with the first scene of the play, Act One Scene Two is very different. In Act One Scene One, there is mainly dialogue between Helen and Jo. The conversation is sharp and fast, as both women are equally exasperated with each other. Moving into Scene Two the pace slows considerably, due to the tension and uncertainty between Jo and her boyfriend. After the first scene, Act One Scene Two moves the play along quickly, introducing a new character, Jimmie, who is heavily involved in the occurrences of the
Geof is the only genuine caring character in the play; the others are totally selfish and self centred. Discuss this statement. From the beginning of the play we can see Jo is the main character, she is highly independent and self reliant this
Geof is the only genuine caring character in the play; the others are totally selfish and self centred. Discuss this statement. From the beginning of the play we can see Jo is the main character, she is highly independent and self reliant this is obvious from one of the opening pages were Jo's mum Helen states 'children owe their parents these little attentions' to which Jo replies with 'I don't owe you a thing.' This shows Jo sees her relationship with her mother as strained, she feels she has brought herself up and not really had her mother their to support her. She has learnt to rely on herself and not trust her mother. When Jo becomes pregnant with a black boy form the navy, who leaves her pregnant Jo reacts badly because she is so independent and used to looking after herself. Geof (Jo's gay friend) offers her a shoulder to turn to and she turns on him 'I'm not planning big plans for this baby or dreaming big dreams. You Know what happens when you do things like that. The baby will be born dead or daft!' She feels she has let herself down and been promiscuous, however the sailor boy was offering her marriage and love before he left, she felt in a safe relationship and that was why she slept with him. But Jo just sees that she's made the same mistakes her mother made when she had her at a young age. Most expectant mothers don't have this negative attitude towards their
A Taste of Honey
A Taste Of Honey Comparing Delaney's Presentation of Jo & Helen's Relationship in Act 1, scene 1 & Act 2, scene 2 'A Taste of Honey' is a kitchen sink drama, set in the late 1950s. It follows the volatile relationship of a mother and daughter, and the problems that they have to overcome. 'A Taste of Honey' presents the harsh reality of what life was like for the working classes. The play explores a variety of controversial issues, which especially in the 1950s, only happened behind closed doors, and would have raised serious questions in society. In 'A Taste of Honey' Helen is portrayed as a bad mother, she cares more about drink and men than her own child and there are several preferences to Helen's alcoholism throughout the play. In a strict and traditional society, it would have been almost unforgivable for a teenage girl to have a child and raise it on her own as Jo ends up doing and Helen did before her. Racism also plays a factor in the play as the father of Jo's unborn child was black and people felt very strongly about this sort of thing at this time, including Jo's mother. 'A Taste of Honey' shows an insight to the problems and strains that can be brought on by the above issues and those that the working class suffered. In the opening scene of 'A Taste of Honey' you are introduced to Jo and Helen's new flat. It is a run down, dingy, old place and is all that
From dependence to independence - To what degree does Jo mature during the play and become less dependent on other people?
From dependence to independence - To what degree does Jo mature during the play and become less dependent on other people? Jo was a naïve young schoolgirl, dependent on her unreliable mother Helen, never knowing her father. She was trapped between school, her mother and grotty little bedsits, never really having an outside life. This kept her young, so she was often childish and had a fear of the dark. Jo was desperate to leave her mother and spread her wings. Her life is a roller coaster and the play shows her life with its ups and downs. From meeting the black sailor, to getting ready to give birth, we see her mature and become independent. In Act 1, Scene 1, we find out about Jo's schooling and talents. When she arrives, she wants to find somewhere to plant her bulbs. As she says, "It's nice to see a few flowers." Helen also finds some drawings that Jo had done and gives her a rare compliment by saying, "I didn't realise I had such a talented daughter." Jo replies by saying, "I'm not just talented, I'm geniused." Jo is also intent of leaving school - and Helen - at Christmas. She seems to think that she is mature enough to do so. She hates the flat and when Helen says, "This is the place," Jo replies, "And I don't like it." She hates life and doesn't realise how good it can be because she is always on the move. She also seems lonely. This is most likely because she is
A taste of honey - From dependence to independence.
From dependence to independence Jo, a trapped schoolgirl seeking sanctuary away from her unreliable mother Helen, yet finding herself dependent upon her. The frequent movement from place to place and no steady source of income meant that Jo had no real social life at school or at home and few luxuries. Jo relies on a carefree black sailor for comfort, however, a facsimile of her own life, he is torn away and she is forced to move on. Helen leaves Jo and marries the untrustworthy Peter. A Gay colleague known as Geoff now comes into her life, and Jo soon realises he is a reliable person, and begins to depend upon him when she is pregnant. Towards the end, Geoff leaves upon the return of Helen, and Jo becomes the independent woman that she so longed for, perhaps a result of her quick taste of honey. In Act 1, Scene 1, we find out about Jo's schooling abilities. When she arrives, she wants to find somewhere to plant her bulbs. As she says, "It's nice to see a few flowers." Helen finds some drawings that Jo had done and compliments her by saying, "I didn't realise I had such a talented daughter." Jo reveals her childish side by replying with "I'm not just talented, I'm geniused." Jo's intentions of leaving school and Helen at Christmas, becomes apparent, as she seems to think that she is mature and independent enough to do so. Another sign her naivety. Her view of the new flat
How does Shelagh Delaney establish the relationship of the main characters for the audience in Act 1 Scene 1 of ‘A Taste of Honey’?
David O'Neill 10.2 Taste of honey Essay How does Shelagh Delaney establish the relationship of the main characters for the audience in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'A Taste of Honey'? The first scene is probably the most important scene of all, as it tells us about the nature of the characters and their attitudes. The first words of the play that are stage directions play a big part. The quote " the stage represents a comfortless flat . . . . . the street outside. Jazz music" this tell us about the time in which they lived which was post war Britain from the jazz music. Jazz music is associated with the blues that was music about being down on your luck which was popular at these times. Mentioning that they lived in Manchester also gave a feeling of their surroundings. In Manchester at this time of the play there would have been few people of other ethnic origins as opposed to 1 in 20 British citizens being African, Asian or Caribbean origin in the 1990s. Also in that day and age it was only a tiny minority of the population on which were single parents. This would be the most important scene because it gave us an idea of what Helen and Jo are like. It tells us what there attitudes are and what sort of relationship they have. Helen reacts differently to Helen at the first impressions of the flat. While Helen is making the flat sounding a lot better than it actually is to make her feel
A Taste of Honey How does Shelagh Delaney present the changing factors of Jo's character?
How does Shelagh Delaney present the changing factors of Jo's character? In this essay I am going to be looking at the play a taste of honey and looking at the factors of Jo's character. This play was written in 1956 the writer Shelagh Delaney was only a teenager when she wrote this play Helen and Jo are mother and daughter and they live in tatty flats. Helen meets a man named peter and they get married. Helen leaves goes to live with peter. Jo meets a boy who is in the navy. They spend Christmas together Jo gets pregnant and the boy leaves. Jo meets another boy called Geof and they set up home together. Geof is bisexual. Helens marriage breaks up because peter goes off with a younger woman. Helen comes back to and moves back in and get rid of Geof and he leaves and then it is mother and daughter again In the play Jo is the main character as she is always present in the play. In the play Jo meets Jimmy who is the father of her child and she also meets Geof who is bisexual and they have a relationship, Jo also has relationships with her mother Helen. Jo and Helen doesn't get on well with each other and Helen leaves Jo at home when she goes out in the play a lot happens too Jo her mother leaves she gets pregnant, she lives with a bisexual and her mother returns Thought out the play Jo's character changes at the start Jo is critical as she says to her mother "your
'A Taste of Honey'How does Jo relate to all the other characters? A Taste of honey became a sensational theatrical success when first produced in London by Joan Littelwood's Theatre Workshop Company.
Shelagh Delaney 'A Taste of Honey' How does Jo relate to all the other characters? A Taste of honey became a sensational theatrical success when first produced in London by Joan Littelwood's Theatre Workshop Company. It was made into a high acclaimed film in 1961. The play is about the adolescent Jo and her relationships with those about her - her irresponsible, roving mother Helen and her mum's newly acquired drunken husband, the black sailor who leaves her pregnant and Geoffrey the homosexual art student who moves in to help with the baby. It is also about Jo's unshakeable optimism throughout her trials. This story of a mother and daughter relationship set in working class Manchester continues to fascinate new generations of readers and audience. 'A Taste of Honey' spans two acts containing two scenes. The whole play takes place around the same place, a shabby, uncomfortable flat in a lodging - house in a poor part of Manchester. At the time this play was written, people faced many difficulties coping with life, this is shown throughout the pay. Living conditions were very harsh, as people were often forced to live in bed sitters, sharing bathrooms and kitchens. As well as the five characters - Jo, Helen, Peter, The Boy and Geoff, there is a link between their relationships. Act 1, Scene 1 opens with Helen and Jo, moving into their new flat; Helen: "well! This is the
Year 10 pre 1914 drama coursework
Year 10 pre 1914 drama coursework How does the presentation of Jo in ?a taste oh honey ? by Sheilagh Delaney link to the "kitchen sink drama" genre, popularised in the 1950's and 1960's In a taste of honey Helen is the mother of Jo. Helen and Jo both live together and they have just moved into a small bed-sit. Helen often argues with Jo. Jo, Later on in the play, has a black boyfriend, who, in the play, is only known as boy In a taste of honey all the characters experience a little bit of pleasure in their life. Helen marrying Peter, Jo and the black boy. However they all have to pay for this pleasure. Jo gets pregnant and the black boy leaves. Helen leaves Jo for peter and when this doesn't work out Helen comes back to Jo. In the play Jo is subject to neglect. This is because her mother, Helen, leaves her alone at 15 to fend for herself. "I'll be seeing you. Hey! If he doesn't show up I'll be back" This is the start of the period when Helen leaves Jo. At this stage in the play the readers don't know if Jo will survive for long without Helen. Peter however se this and gives Jo a pound to have so she could buy food to eat. Jo's role in the play is to show what it would be like in those times to be a single expectant mother. She also has the purpose of showing us how parents have influences on their children: for example Jo was created after Helen and Jo's dad had a