Character Analysis (VCE SSCE English): Flashcards
📚Flashcards
Practise the cards
10 cards from this deck
ShowHide
Practise the cards
10 cards from this deck
Norma Desmond's age & symbolic meaning
Norma Desmond's age & symbolic meaning
50; represents fame's grotesque afterlife
Norma's quote about stars leaving
Norma's quote about stars leaving
No one ever leaves a star!
Gloria Swanson's significance in casting
Gloria Swanson's significance in casting
Real silent star; adds authentic pathos to Norma's tragedy
Joe Gillis's narrative technique
Joe Gillis's narrative technique
Narrates from beyond grave; opens with his corpse in pool
Swimming pool as metaphor
Swimming pool as metaphor
Hollywood glamour concealing death beneath
Max's former relationship to Norma
Max's former relationship to Norma
First husband & director who made her a star
Max's method of enabling Norma
Max's method of enabling Norma
Forges fan mail, blocks reality
Betty Schaefer's symbolic role
Betty Schaefer's symbolic role
Represents Hollywood's hopeful future & authentic passion
Betty's mirror quote to Joe
Betty's mirror quote to Joe
If you want to see what living does...look in that mirror
Film's main Hollywood critique
Film's main Hollywood critique
Brutal treatment of ageing stars & desperate newcomers