Symbolism
SHOEHORN
- most important symbolic object/ significance develops throughout the play
- represent different things to both Sheila and Bridie
- symbol of sacrifices characters made to save each others lives
- present from Bridie's father (represent attachment to home/family)
- Used humorously by Bridie to keep Sheila above in the water as she its her on the head to stop her from drowning (therefore represents the beginning of their bond/mateship. At one level antagonism the other realisation of survival
- represent part of a lie that stops the truth (of Sheila) from coming out, keeps them apart ( used to cover how she got the medicine to save Bridie
- used to keep time in orchestra (metronome)
- allows to maintain humanity/ lifts their spirits “fifty voices and a shoehorn set us free”
- helped burry the dead
- to Bridie (good luck omen)
- to Sheila (symbol of fear, pain and deregulation
- eventually returned to owner – means of reconciliation “the war is over for us”