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Relationships In Juno And Juliet

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‘Some texts leave readers with a largely idealistic impression of a theme or issue, while others leave readers with a more realistic or believable impression of the same theme or issue’ The theme of relationships, and particularly how gender roles influence said relationships is constantly evident in both of the texts that I have studied. In the play “Big Maggie” by John B. Keane and the movie “Juno”, directed by Jason Reitman, the central relationships are constantly influenced by gender roles. In both of these cases, somewhat surprisingly considering the contrast in family dynamics, I would say both texts produce a concrete, realistic impression of the theme of relationships, whether it be familial or romantic for the society they are set in. The film Juno was heavily idealistic rather than realistic in terms of gender roles, even for America in modern day, contrastingly “Big Maggie” remains, unfortunately, realistic in its …show more content…

Katie is presented as somewhat naïve for getting herself pregnant, shunned by society, and forced into a marriage in order to keep up family appearances. Although more extreme, it remains unfortunately realistic for the setting of the play. In “BM” we are witness to a domestic relationship under extreme duress. Maggie’s husband has just passed away, and even though it is evident from her nonchalant behaviour at his graveside that their relationship was not a loving one, she is still left for the first time in many years without a husband and willingly takes control of all their business affairs. The stresses that she and her family are under are clearly illustrated in the play, and the resolution which unfolds in the permanent fracturing of the family, with Maurice, Mick and Gert turning to England for employment and vowing never to see Maggie

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