Joshua Flashcards
(5 cards)
Metanarrative for Joshua
Allegory – during exorcism J has hallucinations and dreams around the ‘Orange Demon’, which is symbolic of her lesbian sexuality and self-discovery.
Dream of ‘The City of Lost Chances’ represents her unconscious fears of not attaining future happiness and of missing opportunities for fulfilment if she denies her lesbian sexuality.
The City of Lost Chances then recurs in the allegory of the ‘Forbidden City’ – the place where those unwilling to give up security for the risky business of pursuing self-fulfilment find themselves. Forbidden City also represents the choices Jeanette is faced with – security of church and family (which also restricts her) or go beyond to an uncertain future.
The walled garden echoes/revises the Garden of Eden – Jeanette has now eaten from the tree of knowledge.
Reference to Humpty Dumpty – Jeanette will never be the same again. Also emphasises her vulnerability in this situation. Use of this familiar nursery rhyme links to the end of her childhood.
Significance of ‘walls’ – physical and metaphorical – walls can protect but can also restrict.
The ‘circle’ represents her emotional and physical needs.
The ‘rough brown pebble’ she is offered by the Orange Demon symbolises the choice she has made – to accept her lesbianism. This pebble crosses from the fantasy to realist level (becomes a real, concrete thing) which reinforces her decision as affecting the real world.
Plot summary for Joshua
Jeanette and Melanie’s relationship is condemned as ‘sinful’;
Melanie repents and Jeanette is exorcised. Melanie leaves.
Jeanette’s repressed sexuality re-emerges and she begins a lesbian relationship with Katy.
Melanie returns with fiancé.
Also recalls her memory of birth mother visiting when she was little.
Poems linked to Joshua
Anon
Links to the bible story in Joshua
Joshua’s faith in God’s promise and his trust in God’s instruction to walk around walls and blow a trumpet leads to the fall of the city walls and victory to the righteous. Jeanette becomes this Joshua figure - asserting her belief that she is acting according to God’s wishes.
Key quotes from Joshua
