Six monologues made famous by the diva Caroline O'Connor, exposing six women balancing their inner and outer lives with humour and often desperate cunning. They range in age from a feisty teenager to a 64-year-old widow yearning for the unexpected. [source]
The phrase was first used to describe actress Jean Harlow. Her US film 'Bombshell' was released in 1933. By the time the film was released in the UK the phrase had taken off and it was entitled 'Blonde Bombshell' there. A ‘bombshell’ was a special kind of sex symbol: an ‘entertainer with a sensational effect.’
As a way of analysing a character, a useful task is to create a character inventory, resume or profile about the key characters. Essentially, character inventories ‘list’ facts in chart format. There are several different forms of character inventories which emphasise aspects of a person’s sense of identity and position in the world.
Consider the following Character Inventory (adapted from Bernays and Painter, What If?): name; nickname; sex; age; looks; education; vocation/occupation; status and money; marital status; family/ethnicity; speech, accent; relationships; places (home, office, car, etc); possessions; recreation hobbies; obsessions; beliefs; politics; sexual history; ambitions; religion; superstitions; fears; attitudes; character flaws; character strengths; pets; taste in books, music, etc; journal entries; correspondence; food preferences; handwriting; astrological sign; talents.
1.Bombshell – A stunning or sensational event, especially one that is surprising or shocking. In the context of women, the term "bombshell" often refers to an attractive, glamorous, and sometimes provocative woman, reinforcing stereotypes about femininity, desirability, and societal expectations. In Bombshells, Joanna Murray-Smith plays with this idea, exploring the pressures, contradictions, and inner lives of women who may outwardly appear confident or put-together but internally struggle with identity, expectations, and fulfilment.
2.Monologue – A long speech by one actor in a play, often revealing their thoughts or emotions.
3.Characterisation – The creation and portrayal of a fictional character in a play.
4.Dramatic monologue – A type of speech in which a character expresses their thoughts or emotions directly to the audience.
5.Dialogue – A conversation between two or more characters in a play.
6.Narrative – A spoken or written account of connected events; a story.
7.Conflict – A struggle between opposing forces, either internal (within a character) or external (between characters or society).
8.Resolution – The conclusion of a narrative or conflict within the play.
9.Subtext – The underlying meaning or message implied in dialogue or action.
10.Theme – A central idea or message explored in a literary work.
11.Feminism – The advocacy of women's rights on the basis of gender equality.
12.Post-feminism era – A period following second-wave feminism, where feminist ideas are critiqued, redefined, or assumed to be achieved.
13.Postmodern literary theory – A framework that challenges traditional narratives, emphasising fragmentation, paradox, and the questioning of absolute truths.
14.Middle-class – A social group between the upper and working classes, often associated with material comfort, professional occupations, and cultural aspirations.
15.Archetype – A typical example of a certain person or thing; in literature, a recurring symbol, theme, or character type.
16.Context – The circumstances, background, or setting in which a literary work is written and interpreted.
17.Women's liberation – A movement advocating for gender equality, challenging traditional roles and systemic oppression of women in social, political, and economic spheres.
18.Patriarchy – A social system in which men hold primary power, often resulting in the subjugation and marginalization of women.