Shoehorn Sonata Essay

The Shoehorn Sonata by John Misto is a play that gives insight into the stories of the forgotten women prisoners of World War II.

It explores the gruesome reality of war and the betrayal of government towards the women prisoners. Misto engages the audience through a multitude of techniques through the play, bringing the experiences and people to life. The reality of war is brutal and unjust. Through the experiences of prisoners of war, Bridie and Sheila, the audience is presented with a grim picture of the nature of war.

In Act One, Scene Five, a photograph of skin-and-bone children who are dressed in rags is projected. The graphic image shocks the audience as it shows the harsh conditions that these children were put in. This creates a sense of empathy for the children. The mistreatment id then emphasised through Sheila presenting a chop bone. The chop bone represents the harsh and desperate times of war; where even the simplest of things are considered a treasure.

The fact that Bridie and Sheila 'shared a bone' enforces the lack of human respect and powerlessness that they had.Later in the scene, Sheila makes an understatement “we were all a bit gloomy. It became quite a problem. ” The use of second person makes the situation even more real and highlights how they were brutally treated.

Through this, a greater sense of sympathy is created and the mass effect that war has on its prisoners is made more profound. These images provide evidence as to what happened during that time. Not only does it effectively assist the audience to visualise such events, but to also view the solidity of the atrocities of war. Desperate times, calls for desperate measures.

Often the measures made during that time can burden us from moving on in life. In Act One, Scene Eight, Sheila reveals to Bridie that she gave up her virginity to save Bridie's life. In response, Bridie admits that she did not appreciate the gesture. In frustration, Sheila throws the shoehorn onto the bed; creating greater tension between the two. This shows the anger and regrets Sheila feels towards Bridie and how redeeming the justification for her actions was near to impossible at this point. Though, Sheila continues to make an effort as she tries to Bridie as to why she did it.

We could hear you screaming-and it wasn't a human sound" uses sensory imagery to highlight the extreme conditions that Bridie was in and greater recognition for Sheila’s sacrifice. In the background, "Many the hopes that have vanished, after the ball... ” is played through a soundtrack. This transports the audience back to Sheila singing as a young girl.

The young voice illustrates the loss of innocence and how Sheila's sacrifice has left a lasting wound. Her experiences as a young girl become rawer as the actress looks into to the distance, reminiscing what had happened at the camp.Given the circumstances that Sheila was in, would you have done the same? Misto's Shoehorn Sonata presents a political dimension through the wartime experiences of the prisoners of war. In Act Two, Scene Nine, Sheila reveals that John Curtin sent a message to the women prisoners.

It reads 'keep smiling'. In response, the women laugh hysterically to the absurdity of the message. Considering the dire circumstances that they were in, smiling is about the only thing that they can do. This is an example of black humour and how it has been used to bring ‘light’ to the women prisoner's situations.This also creates a sense of disgust and outrage towards the government.

The betrayal of the government is then enforced by the soundtrack "When You're Smiling" along with photographs of women being emaciated and covered in boils. The contrast between the two enforces the abomination of the government’s actions and provokes the audience to feel anger and outrage. Furthermore, it shows the lack of care and 'official amnesia' that government has for the prisoners. The song transports the audience to that time and adds a realistic feel to the story. This helps the audience to relate to the betrayal that the prisoners feel.

It is through this political statement which Misto makes that shows the distinct visual of the government turning a blind eye to its people. The lack of recognition that the Australian government had towards the women prisoners is still a national burden that everyone has to live with. In Act Two, Scene Eleven, Sheila makes the understatement "not a headstone or memorial anywhere. Not even a cross survived the war". The plea made by Sheila, uses repetition of ‘not’, attempts to give the recognition that the prisoners deserve.

Through this, it creates empathy for the victims and disgust towards the government.This is then emphasised in Bridie saying 'we were on our own' as she and the women have tried to fight for more compensation. The use of second person enforces how they were forgotten and the people from her story the more real. Throughout the scene, the stage was in complete darkness for a few seconds. This is to show snippets of the stories told and to have a lasting image on the audience.

Through this, the audience can clearly see the betrayal that the prisoners felt by their government and the experiences they faced, showing a greater need to be recognised for their efforts and survival.