Box the Pony
The dramatic and thematic concerns presented in scene five of, Box the Pony, by Scott Rankin and Leah Purcell, are important to the overall structure of the play. In scene five, we learn about the main character Steff, the fictional retrospect who plays Leah, who yearns for physical and spiritual escape. This scene also makes explicit the significance of the motif of the song, "Run Daisy Run", and the "Pony", that is referred to frequently throughout the play. Furthermore, we are introduced to Florence (Flo), Steff's mother. It is in scene five that the audience is for the first time, formally introduced to Flo. We are already aware of the fact that Flo is a single mum to seven bastard children. In this scene, it is through Flo's way of life, that the audience is able to learn about the constraints experienced by Aboriginal women; and due to Flo's inability to cope with these constraints, she relies on alcohol and music as source of temporary comfort from her responsibilities. Paradoxically, we also learn that her temporary escape is also preventing the freedom of her child, Steff. In scene five, Purcell uses costume to construct Flo's character,she finds a large pink floral sun frock, which she holds up.
However, as the scene comes to an end, Flo shows a sign of remorse;FLO When I'm dead and gone bub don't you cry for me, don't you cry'. The song used particularly emphasises to the audience that Flo, unlike Steff's grandmother is not a traditional aboriginal woman, but moreover is trying to behave like a white person in her effort to escape from her responsibilities. Primarily this is through the introduction of Flo and her alcoholism. Steff's totem is bungaburra, a blue crane. This is preceded by the music playing under the narration that reinforces the pony as a symbol of freedom, "a rhythmic, free wild drumming", the fact that this scene ends with a symbol, reminds Steff, that there is hope hor her and restores her strength. By doing so, Purcell, emphasises Steff's love for her mother even though she was the cause of her entrapment and insecurity. Box the Pony is the dramatic representation of Leah Purcell's life through the character Steff. This is to emphasise Flo's mood, depression she experiences in the society she is living in and how she uses music as a source of release. Hence, the audience is presented with two aboriginal female role models in Steff's life. We learn that Flo spends pension money on grog at the Pub, it doesn't seem to concern her that she has children at home. After the party, the music that is played is also a predominant indicator of the mood. In scene five, we are made aware of Flo's addiction to alcohol. LEAH she gives Steff the baby - a carton of XXXX and invites everyone up'ome for a party.
Common topics in this essay:
FLO I'm,
Woman LEAH,
Flo Steff's,
Leah Purcell's,
LEAH Outside,
Bungaburra NANNA,
Spumante Leah,
Leah Purcell,
LEAH Steff,
Similarly Steff,
scene five,
flo's character,
break free,
'run daisy run',
run daisy,
blue crane,
flo flo,
character steff,
'run daisy,
daisy run',
run daisy run,
song 'run daisy,
hope steff,
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Acceptance Essays
