Units and Objectives

My first unit is to pick up Jimmy's pipe and scoop up ash from the floor, this action is used to symbolize Alison's connection to her old house, she does this to highlight that no matter if she doesn't live there any more she still feels a compulsory need to look after what was once hers, this has connotations with her relationship with Jimmy, even thou he's no longer hers she still feels the need to look after him, this is highlighted in her pleading oh Helena to stay with Jimmy and "give him a little longer." During the line “you make a good cup of tea" Alison looks down into her tea cup as if she is trying to avoid facing the obvious awkwardness of the situation. Alison would feel extremely uncomfortable and unsure at this point in the scene as she would feel as thou she has no right to be in her Old house. This is shown through the direction to use her feet to play with the newspaper on the floor, she would be doing this as a nervous habit in an attempt to make her feel comfortable. When Jimmy first appears in the scene Alison rises from her seat this action could be construed in different ways but I think it is done to represent her feelings towards Jimmy, as if to present herself for the typical judgement and angry onslaught she was used to receiving in the past. One of the most impacting and emotional lines in this scene is "it was mine" this is said by Alison in response to Jimmy's house and cold response to the loss of his child. Alison says this under her breath this is done to show her inner turmoil with regards to her loss, the loss of a child is a massive emotional trauma for a mother and Alison's strength is shown through her holding back her emotions when talking about it to Jimmy. Alison's last emotional break on page 95 contains lots of physical direction which adds to Alison's character. Alison slides down against the leg of the table to the floor this is a very emotional action from Alison as it cements her inability to carry on supporting her emotional wall she has been keeping up around Jimmy, this moment is used to highlight her loss of strength and emotional stability. After Alison has let out all of her frustration she looks up to Jimmy and admits she has reached the lowest of the low, the level at which she honestly believes Jimmy wants her to be at. She does this in a last attempt to draw affection from her husband only to fall to his feet in a moment of emotional exhaustion. The couple end the play sat on the floor embracing each other as Jimmy attempts to comfort her trough dropping his harsh persona. Jimmy puts his arms around Alison to stop her shacking and weeping this little moment would make Alison feel calm and quite secure in Jimmy's arms, She then looks up at him saying "poor bears, oh poor poor bears" this highlights her peace with the situation and comfort in retreating to hers and Jimmy's magical world of squirrels and bears.