Cloudstreet, Dolly Pickles Characterisation
Character Analysis Task - Dolly Pickles
1. Compose two statements to describe your selected character. After each statement, select two short passages from the text that you think demonstrate your statements. Discuss each passage in relation to why it demonstrates your statement. Include references to tone, allegory, characterisation, context, and setting. Each statement’s should be at least 250 words.
In the play Cloudstreet adapted by Nick Enright and Justin Monjo, one of the protagonist’s Dolly Pickles parades her femininity and promiscuous personality openly towards the readers. Her sexuality makes it difficult for the reader to form a bond with the character, which in result forces them to dislike her. Her sexuality and wild behaviours are shown in many circumstances through out the play, yet most strikingly when Dolly is introduced the first time. In Scene 2 Rose Pickles, Dolly’s daughter walks in on Dolly with an American Pilot she is having an affair with. After Dolly completely disregards Rose’s presence and Rose departs she expresses to the pilot “You Yanks are something. Jesus Christ you’re something. I like the salt when you sweat” and continues to “…keep fucking.”. This demonstrates to the reader Dolly is very forward with her sensual attitudes towards men and her family. Her meaningless fornication with males is a continuous theme throughout the play and builds on her characterisation. Readers are unwillingly brought to the conclusion that Dolly’s actions; including her numerous affairs are malicious towards her family, distinguishing her as an unpleasant and selfish wife, mother and person. Imagery is also shown with Dolly’s complete neglect towards her daughter Rose. When she walks in on her mother having an affair and she ignores her existence not only gives readers an image of Dolly’s lack of affection and love towards her family but her lack of distress when her real profane personality is revealed.
Dolly Pickles is known not only for
1. Compose two statements to describe your selected character. After each statement, select two short passages from the text that you think demonstrate your statements. Discuss each passage in relation to why it demonstrates your statement. Include references to tone, allegory, characterisation, context, and setting. Each statement’s should be at least 250 words.
In the play Cloudstreet adapted by Nick Enright and Justin Monjo, one of the protagonist’s Dolly Pickles parades her femininity and promiscuous personality openly towards the readers. Her sexuality makes it difficult for the reader to form a bond with the character, which in result forces them to dislike her. Her sexuality and wild behaviours are shown in many circumstances through out the play, yet most strikingly when Dolly is introduced the first time. In Scene 2 Rose Pickles, Dolly’s daughter walks in on Dolly with an American Pilot she is having an affair with. After Dolly completely disregards Rose’s presence and Rose departs she expresses to the pilot “You Yanks are something. Jesus Christ you’re something. I like the salt when you sweat” and continues to “…keep fucking.”. This demonstrates to the reader Dolly is very forward with her sensual attitudes towards men and her family. Her meaningless fornication with males is a continuous theme throughout the play and builds on her characterisation. Readers are unwillingly brought to the conclusion that Dolly’s actions; including her numerous affairs are malicious towards her family, distinguishing her as an unpleasant and selfish wife, mother and person. Imagery is also shown with Dolly’s complete neglect towards her daughter Rose. When she walks in on her mother having an affair and she ignores her existence not only gives readers an image of Dolly’s lack of affection and love towards her family but her lack of distress when her real profane personality is revealed.
Dolly Pickles is known not only for