Blues for an Alabama Sky (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Literature): Flashcards
Exam code: 0475 & 0992
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Fill in the gap: "You can't make it ＿＿＿＿＿ just because you want it to be"
Guy, Act 1, Scene 3
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Cards in this collection (10)
Fill in the gap: "You can't make it ＿＿＿＿＿ just because you want it to be"
Guy, Act 1, Scene 3
Answer: "You can't make it real just because you want it to be"
Fill in the gap: "We're not in Paris. We're in ＿＿＿＿＿"
Angel, Act 2, Scene 2
Answer: "We're not in Paris. We're in Harlem"
Fill in the gap: "＿＿＿＿＿ me? I'm not hiding!"
Guy, Act 2, Scene 1
Answer: "Spot me? I'm not hiding!"
Fill in the gap: "Everybody knows that ＿＿＿＿＿ was set to run us out"
Delia, Act 2, Scene 3
Answer: "Everybody knows that fire was set to run us out"
Key quote: "Paris is another world away from here... We'll sleep on satin and dress in silk and drink so much fine French champagne we'll get tired of it"
Guy, Act 2, Scene 1
Analysis
The luxurious sensory imagery of 'satin', 'silk' and 'champagne' makes Paris a symbol of escape from the hardship of Harlem.
Key quote: "I just don't want to think about all that any more. I'm tired of it! I'm going away. From you. From Harlem."
Angel, Act 2, Scene 4
Analysis
The fragmented sentences ('From you. From Harlem.') and repeated 'I'm' capture Angel taking back control of her own life. She is desperate to escape.
Key quote: "Everywhere you've been looking lately there's nothing but a bunch of sad-eyed souls wondering who pulled the rug out"
Guy, Act 2, Scene 1
Analysis
'Sad-eyed souls' and 'pulled the rug out' capture the community's sudden despair after the Wall Street Crash. The decline of Harlem is felt by everyone.
Key quote: "I was missing that Alabama sky where the stars are so thick it's bright as day"
Leland, Act 2, Scene 2
Analysis
The title-giving metaphor idealises the rural South. It marks Leland's conservative identity, which clashes with modern Harlem.
Key quote: "I'm liking this family more all the time"
Guy, Act 1, Scene 2
Analysis
Guy calls his friends 'family', highlighting the found-family bonds that outcasts build in Harlem. Belonging shapes his identity more than blood ties.
Key quote: "I always wanted a son first so he could take care of the younger ones. I always could see myself with a son"
Leland, Act 2, Scene 4
Analysis
The repetition of 'son' reveals Leland's traditional, patriarchal values. These clash with Angel's desire for independence.
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