Outside the Club

Setting= Outside the club » Marie and Cassie are waiting for a taxi. » Cassie confesses to Marie that she wants to escape. » She reveals that she is so desperate that she would leave her children behind. » She tells Marie that she has saved £200 (stolen from Nora). » We now know the purpose of the money which was hidden behind Michael’s picture. We also know that this has been stolen by Deirdre. » At the end of the scene, Deirdre uses a knife stolen from a bag to destroy Nora’s peach polyester.

In this scene, the close relationship between Marie and Cassie is further developed. Marie states that it would be understandable if Cassie is having an affair. She tries to help her friend overcome her guilt about her feelings towards Joe by saying: ‘I don’t know how you coped with all Joe’s carry on. I don’t. You were the martyr there, Cassie.’

We learn that Cassie is not content in West Dublin: 1- Identify one possible reason for this discontent. In your answer you should quote from the text. (p.56) 2- How does this scene make us aware of the extent of her unhappiness? (consider her future plans).

‘I could leave her the children. Teresa turns to her before she turns to me and Brian’s getting all the washing and polishing and wee cups of ice cream to keep him smiling that Martin ever got.’ 1)Explain fully why Cassie is willing to leave her children with Nora. 2)What possible reason for tension between Cassie and Nora is revealed in this dialogue? 3)To what extent do you sympathise with Cassie at this point in the play?

Look carefully at pages 56 and 57 before completing the following: 1)Why did Marie trust Michael? 2)Copy and complete: Marie also believes her relationship with Michael had a strong basis in friendship. She says: