Juno and the Paycock Flashcards
(6 cards)
Quotes for Juno being the backbone of the family
“I kill myself workin’, an’ he goes gallivantin” - while Boyle is out drinking and avoiding responsibility, Juno is the one who sacrifices and toils to keep them afloat.
“I’ll have to get a job to keep the bit o’bread in the house” - her practicality shines through again, unlike Boyle she doesn’t rely on empty promises of wealth and understands the real need for work.
“I won’t have my children brought up in a place where there’s drink” - Junoks protective maternal instincts shine through, she wants to protect her children from the negative influence of Boyle.
Quotes for Juno being strong and independent
“I’ll carry on” - her final line in the play perfectly encapsulates her independence and resilience, despite the loss of her son and betrayal of her husband, she refuses to give in to despair, she will find a new path.
“Ah, Juno, you’re the only woman in the house with any sense at all” - Mrs. Madigan recognition reinforces how Juno’s strength is admired by those around her, her independence is so obvious that even other characters see her as a source of stability and reason.
Symbolism of Juno leaving Boyle at the end is the ultimate demonstration of her independence, she must walk away from the toxic household.
Quotes for Juno’s contrast to Boyle
“Juno - You’ll never have an ounce o’sense, Jack Boyle. Boyle - I’m telling you there’s a fortune waitin’ for us” - dialogue perfectly contrasts their outlooks, Boyle is swept up in illusions of wealth, while Juno cuts through his nonsense with blunt realism.
“The whole worl’s in a state o’ chassis” - Boyle uses this phrase as an excuse for his inaction, he constantly complains about the world but never does anything to change it and this contrasts Juno’s proactive nature.
Symbolism of Boyle being swept up in dreams of the inheritance while Juno doesn’t believe in will due to Jack’s behaviour highlighting the clash between her realism and his fantasy
Quotes for Juno being compassionate and empathetic
“It’s the mothers that suffer the most” - says to Mrs. Tancred showing her deep understanding of a mother’s pain, she knows that in a world of conflict and poverty, mothers bear the heaviest emotional burden. (After Mrs. Tancred’s son died).
“It’ll be a hard struggle, but we’ll fight it out” - her reaction to Mary’s situation is full of compassion and love, she doesn’t scold Mary or shame her, instead stands by her daughter.
“You’re not the first woman to be left with a child, and you won’t be the last” - she comforts Mary not by minimising her pain, but by normalising her experience.
Reason against Juno
Stage directionalType of ‘She takes Mary’s arm, and they go out together’, symbolic to her leaving Boyle and can be seen as abandoning her marriage vows and shows a lack of forgiveness, a cold practicality.
Juno dramatic techniques
Language - uses sharp wit and sarcasm - “You’ll never have an ounce o’ sense, Jack Boyle”.
Compassion in dialogue with Mrs. Tancred.
She has an emotional arc from hope to heartbreak to independence.
