Penelope Dramaturgy Website
Definitions
Each section of the glossary is organized in chronological order with the page number from the Samuel French script listed. To jump to a term you're looking for, utilize the Control+F feature to search for the term and it should highlight any mentions of that term on this page.
theatrical troubadour - (pg. 9) Troubadour: A French medieval lyric poet composing and singing in Provençal in the 11th to 13th centuries, especially on the theme of courtly love; a poet who writes verse to music; Theatrical: exaggerated and excessively dramatic
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his manner's a little fey - (pg. 10) Fey: To describe someone as behaving in a shy, childish, or unpredictable way, and often to suggest that this is unnatural or insincere. In Scottish English only, meaing fated to die or at the point of death.
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flamboyant margarita - (pg. 10) Flamboyant: tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness; Margarita: a cocktail made with tequila and citrus fruit juice.
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erudition - (pg. 10) The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarship; strongly implies the acquiring of profound, or bookish learning.
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rougher diamond - (pg. 11) A rough diamond: a person who is generally of good character but lacks manners, education, or style; a diamond in the rough; an uncut diamond
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their accents are provincial - (pg. 11) "Provincial speaking": having or showing the manners, viewpoints, etc. considered characteristic of unsophisticated inhabitants of a province.
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a yurt in Mongolia shivering into a herd of yaks - (pg. 11) Yurt: a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible tramework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, or Turkey; Mongolia: A country located in Asia between Russia to the north and China to the south; yak: a large domesticated wild ox with shaddy hair, humped shoulders, and large horns, used in Tibet as a pack animal and for its milk, meat, and hide; The annual average temperature in Mongolia is 32 degrees Fahrenheit, reaching a high of 50-80 degrees F in the summer and a low of -18.4 to -65.2 degrees F in the winter. Yurts are the traditional home of nomadic families in Mongolia and the felt is used as an effective method of temperature control during the winter months. Mongolia has the world's second-largest population of yaks in the world after China at approximately 1,005,000 yaks in the 13 provinces of Mongolia.
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modicum of heat - (pg. 12) modicum: a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable; desiring heat which is so valuable, even a small amount of heat would suffice.
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banger - (pg. 12) A British term used to refer to sausages; this colloquial term was left over from the first World War when sausages sometimes exploded/burst open in the pan when you cooked them, partly due to the shrinkage of the tight skin and partly because of the cheap sausage fillers that they were using at the time.
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thirty-three degrees Celsius - (pg. 12) equivalent to 91.4 degrees Fahrenheit, so very hot.
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lads - (pg. 13) informal, a boy or young man; British: a group of men sharing recreational, working or other interests; a young man who is boisterously macho
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degeneration - (pg. 13) a state or process of being or becoming degenerate; decline or deterioration; degenerate: having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable; showing evidence of decline; lacking some property, order, or distinctness of structure previously or usually present
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Homer - (pg. 14) Homer was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the Illiad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the most revered and influential authors in history. His was born circa 8th century BC.
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Magic Porridge Pot - (pg. 14) The original German title directly translates to "Sweet Porridge", but is commonly known in English as "The Magic Porridge Pot"; the story is a folkloric German fairy tale recorded by the Brothers Grimm as tale number 103 in Grimm's Fairy Tales in the 19th century. This link takes you to a pdf version of a contemporary children's book of the fairy tale: https://fliphtml5.com/phryq/dasz/basic
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obesity - (pg. 14) the state or condition of being very fat or overweight; defined by the World Health Organization as abnormal or excessive fat accululation that presents a risk to health. Historically, BMI has been used to measure obesity in medicine, however this is not always a comprehensive assessment of one's health.
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sweet stodgy oats - (pg. 14) stodgy: British meaning; (of food) heavy, filling, thick, semi solid consistency, and high in carbohydrates; oats: another term referring to porridge or oatmeal
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crikey - (pg. 14) Informal, British; an expression of suprise (Ex. Crikey! I never thought I'd see you again!)
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retarded - (pg. 14) definition: affected by intelliectual disability or to be intellectually disabled. Today, the term "retarded", frequently referred to as "the R-word", is increasingly considered offensive and by many is considered an ableist slur and a form of hate speech. The use of "intellectually disabled" is now preferred over "retarded" in medical, educational, and regulartory contexts, as well as in general use. Informally (and considered offensively), the term has been used to mean very stupid or foolish. "While 'mental retardation' was originally introduced as a medical term in 1961 for people with intellectual disabilities, in the decades since, the R-word has become an insult used all too commonly in everday langauge. Those who use the R-word often do so with little regard for the pain it causes people with intellectual disabilities – and the exclusion it perpetuates in our society." Quoted from the Special Olympics webpage "Why the R-Word is the R-Slur." This article, written by Brandy Johanson-Sebera, M.S. and Julia Wilkins, Ph.D. and published in the Review of Disability Studies, begins with a history of the development and usage of the R-word and then goes into a study of the usage of the word on YouTube. The study breaks down research of 222 YouTube videos using the R-word into categories based on the type of video and then the usage of the word. It is a very interesting look at the modern usage of the word from a research lens and details the mutiple ways that the general U.S. population has used the term in recent years, but in particular the history provided towards the beginning of the article is particularly helpful in understanding the evolution of the word. I offer this selected quote from the study: "Although it is important to recognize the socially constructed nature of the disability that gives rise to the mentally retarded label, the focus of this article is on the changing nature of the terminology used to describe those so classified." If you have thoughts, feelings, or opinions on the usage of the term in the script, I welcome all conversation regarding this very sensitive issue and will take such conversations into serious consideration as we move through this process.
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unequivocal - (pg. 15) meaning leaving no doubt; unambiguous
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hellish - (pg. 15) of or like hell; British (informal): extremely (used for emphasis)
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senility - (pg. 15) the condition of being senile: having or showing the weaknesses or diseases of old age, especially a loss of mental faculties
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morphed - (pg. 15) past tense of to morph: meaning to undergo a gradual process of transformation
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lament - (pg. 15) used here as a verb; meaning to mourn; express regret or disappointment over something considered unsatisfactory, unreasonable, or unfair
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svelte - (pg. 16) (of a person) slender and elegent; lithe, suave.
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oxpecker bird - (pg. 16) a brown African bird related to the starlings which feeds on parasites that infest the skins of large grazing mammals, such as the hippopatamus. In this context, they are particularly referring to the symbiotic relationship that oxpeckers have with hippopotami by eating the parasites off of their backs.
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dictum - (pg. 17) a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle
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peaky - (pg. 17) British: pale from illness or fatigue; sickly
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flamenco - (pg. 17) style of Spanish music and dance, played especially on the guitar and danced in a vigorous rhythmic dance style. Video of Flamenco dance performance by Ballet Flamenco Andalucia at New York City Center.
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scamp - (pg. 17) Informal; a person, frequently used to refer to a child, who is mischievous in a likable or amusing way; a wicked or worthless person; a rogue
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press-ups - British term for a push-up: an exercise in which a person lies facing the floor and, keeping their pack straight, raises their body by pressing down on their hands; in this context, Burns is doing these press-ups/push-ups vertically against the wall of the pool
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mammy - (pg. 18) Informal (British); one's mother, especially used as a child's word; it is important to note in our American context, "mammy" can also be used, regarded to be an offensive term, to refer to a Black nursemaid or nanny, usually who cares for white children. The "mammy archetype" has been reinforced through American media in films such as Gone With the Wind in the role of "Mammy" played by Hattie McDaniel.
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debris - (pg. 18) scattered pieces of waste or remains
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half-wit - (pg. 18) a foolish or stupid person; a person who is feeble-minded
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mime - (pg. 19) the theatrical technique of suggesting action, character, or emotion without words, using only gesture, expression, and movement.
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devoid of the yap-yap - (pg. 19) devoid: entirely lacking or free from; yap yap: an informal term for chatter, small talk, or to talk at length in an irritating manner
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imprint - (pg. 19) an impression or impact made on something; in this context, on the world at large.
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wetting my bed - (pg. 19) to involuntarily urinate during sleep
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slipped disc - (pg. 21) a vertebral disc that is displaced or partly protruding, pressing on nearby nerves and causing back pain or sciatica; a very painful back injury
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parched grass - (pg. 23) parch: to dry up or wither due to sunlight or heat; referring to dried up and withered grass as a result of sunlight and heat in addition to lack of water
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whinging bloodied slugs - (pg. 23) whinging: British: complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way (pronounced using the soft "g" sound); bloodied: covered or stained with blood; slugs: a slow, lazy person
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innards - (pg. 23) Informal: entrails: a person or animals intestines or internal organs, especially when removed or exposted
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suicide - (pg. 24) the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally. There are multiple references during the play to an act of suicide which has occurred within the world of play, albeit prior to the start of the play. If you have any concerns or difficulty handling this heavy topic within the show, I am open and available for conversation, and the resources at CMU's Counseling and Psychological Services are available to assist in the case of a mental health need or crisis.
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colossus - (pg. 24) a person or thing or enormous size, importance, or ability
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bowel movement - (pg. 24) an act of defecation
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palpitations - (pg. 24) a noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness.
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unblinking, unphased - (pg. 24) unblinking: (of a person or their gaze or eye) not blinking, in this context, the word is similar to unflinching: meaning not showing fear or hesitation in the face of danger or difficulty; unphased: not suprised or worried, undaunted
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phobia - (pg. 24) an extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something
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withering - (pg. 24) the action of becoming literally dry and shriveled, figuratively meaning the action of declining or decaying, to deteriorate or weaken
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thievery - (pg. 24) the action of stealing another person's property
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pigeon-holed - (pg. 25) past tense of pigeon-hole: to assign [someone or something] to a particular category or class, especially in a manner that is too rigid or exclusive
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Laureate - (pg. 25) a person who is honored with an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement.
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G and T - (pg. 25) an abbreviation of Gin and Tonic, or a drink containing a mixture of gin: a clear alcholic spirit distilled from grain or malt and flavored with juniper berries; and tonic water: a bitter, carbonated soft drink made with quinine: a bitter crystalline compound present in cinchona bark
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a sup - (pg. 25) Northern English term for a drink that will be had by sips or spoonfuls, such as an alcoholic drink
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the reef - (pg. 25) a ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea
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levity - (pg. 26) humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect
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Cockeyed Optimist - (pg. 26) cockeyed: crazy, stupid, or ridiculous; optimist: a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or success of something; together meaning, someone who, perhaps foolishly or absurdly, believes in the best or most hopeful outcomes.
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a little high - (pg. 26) feeling euphoric, especially from the effects or drugs or alcohol; this in reference to the pills that Fitz took earlier in the script, see entry "container of tablets" from pg. 7
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"The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost" - (pg. 26) The Holy Trinity in Christian doctrine, referring to the unity of the Father (God, father of Christ), the Son (Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God) and the Holy Ghost also known as the Holy Spirit, or the intangible aspect of the Christian idea of the spirit not encapsulated in the form of a holy figure or person.
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flotsam - (pg. 26) the wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea; people or things that have been rejected and are regarded as worthless
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motto - (pg. 27) a short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution
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morality - (pg. 28) principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior; a particular system of values and principles of conduct, especially held by a specified person or society
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supplant - (pg. 28) supersede and replace
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Jeepers - (pg. 28) informal term, used to express surprise or alarm; derived from "Jesus!" used as an expression of suprise or alarm
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fiber of your being - (pg. 28) this common turn of phrase means with all of one's effort or desire; something you want or believe in very much
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heave - (pg. 28) informal, a case of retching or vomiting; Quinn is saying that Dunne's efforts at seduction are so repulsive they cause him to gag or want to vomit
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chuffed - (pg. 29) more commonly used in British English, meaning quite pleased, delighted
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follow spot - (pg. 29) a spotlight for following a performer moving about on a stage
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live transmission - (pg. 29) a live broadcasting, referring to various types of media that are broadcasting without significant delay
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outlandishly theatrical - (pg. 29) outlandishly: in a strange or extremely unusual way; theatrical: exaggerated and excessively dramatic
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pheromones - (pg. 30) a chemical substance produced and released into the environment by a mammal, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its species; chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside of the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavior of the receiving individual; a chemical substance released that is generally received positively as a trigger or indicator of sexual attraction or viability
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peasant olive soap - (pg. 30) referring to soap handmade by peasants in Greece generally made of an olive oil base
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unhand me - (pg. 30) unhand: release someone from one's grasp; a demand to be let go of from someone else's grasp
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courtship - (pg. 31) behavior designed to persuade someone to marry or develop a romantic relationship with one
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Ionian breeze - (pg. 31) Ionian: relating to the Ionian islands, which are a group of islands in the Ionian Sea, west of mainland Greece; the Ionian breeze would be particularly pleasant coming off of the beautiful Ionian sea
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bristling shoulders - (pg. 31) bristling: aggressively brisk or tense; to stand upright especially in anger or fear; describing the shoulders as tensing out of anxiety, tension, anger, or fear
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blackbird - (pg. 31) a European bird with mainly black feathers; known to be a symbol of death, change, magic, and mystery
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fuckers - (pg. 32) vulgar slang, a contemptible or stupid person (often used as a general term of abuse)
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mortal doubts - (pg. 32) a doubt or fear that comes from being a mortal human, susceptible to death
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master scribe - (pg. 32) master: meaning having or showing very great skill or proficiency; scribe: writer or author; together meaning a greatly skilled writer
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lavender - (pg. 32) a purple flower with a soothing floral scent; lavender can represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness
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wounded hound - (pg. 32) wounded: inflected with a wound, injured; hound: another term for a dog; Dunne is using this analogy to describe himself to be alike to an injured dog
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Ionian Sea - (pg. 32) The Ionian Sea is an elongated bay of the Mediterranean Sea connected to the Adriatic Sea to the north, and is bounded by Southern Italy and the west coast of Greece; Homer's the Odyssey places the setting of Odysseus' home near the Ionian Sea and within Greece.
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old ham - (pg. 32) ham: an overacting inferior performer, an actor of low grade; Enda Walsh in these stage directions is calling Dunne an old and overacting performer
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puffs color into my cheeks - (pg. 33) meaning to cause one's cheeks to flush with color from a rush of blood to the face due to pride and sexual attraction
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his heroics - (pg. 33) behavior or talk that is bold or dramatic, especially excessively or unexpectedly so
PEDIGREE - (pg. 33) the background or history of a person or thing, especially as conferring distinction or quality or an upper-class status
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platonic love - (pg. 35) a type of love in which sexual desire or romantic features are nonexistent or have been suppressed or sublimated; the type of love that exists between close friends
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slit his own wrists - (pg. 35) to attempt to kill oneself by cutting one's wrists; There are multiple references during the play to an act of suicide which has occurred within the world of play, albeit prior to the start of the play. If you have any concerns or difficulty handling this heavy topic within the show, I am open and available for conversation, and the resources at CMU's Counseling and Psychological Services are available to assist in the case of a mental health need or crisis.
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a spade - (pg. 36) a tool with a sharp-edged, typically rectangular, metal blade and a long handle, used for digging or cutting earth; also known as a shovel
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Lexus - (pg. 36) a mid to high end Japanese brand of cars, owned by the Toyota Motor Company
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arse - (pg. 36) British English word for ass: vulgar slang, a person's buttocks; a stupid, irritating, or contemptible person
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allegiance - (pg. 36) loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause
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bile - (pg. 37) a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aid digestion and used to describe vomit or throw-up; also used as a term to describe anger or irritability
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epic poetry - (pg. 37) an epic poem is a lengthy narrative poem typically about the extraordinary deeds of extraordinary characters who, in dealings with gods or other superhuman forces, gave shape to the more universe for their descendants; Homer's the Iliad and the Odyssey are among the most famous and historic epic poems
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prophecy - (pg. 38) a foretelling of something that will happen in the future
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arsehole - (pg. 39) British english, vulgar slang, a person's anus; a stupid, irritating, or contemptible person
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drug-addled mind - (pg. 40) mentally mixed-up or confused due to the usage of mind-bending drugs; see entry "container of tablets" on page 7
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shunted - (pg. 40) push or shove someone or something; direct or divert someone or something to a less important place or position
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blemish - (pg. 41) a small mark or flaw in the appearance of something
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tampering twit - (pg. 41) tampering: interfere with something in order to cause damage or make unathorized alterations; exert a secret or corrupt influence upon someone; twit: informal, British English, a silly or foolish person
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unchartered - (pg. 42) non-standard term; an area of sea or land not mapped or surveyed, in this instance, the term is referring to a metaphorical place of internal feeling which has not been surveyed, identified, or previously understood
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panicked - (pg. 42) to feel or cause to feel panic
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reconstituted meats - (pg. 44) Reconstituted meat is a paste or liquid-like meat product that is produced from ground meat. Fat and excess water are separated from the meat using a centrifuge or emulsifier (a machine used to produce the meat into a fine and homogeneous paste or liquid of a desired thickness). Such products include luncheon loaves, roast beef, turkey breast, pork roasts, fish patties, ham load, chicken, and many others that are formed, pressed, rolled, and shaped to ease preparation for food service workers and eating for consumers.
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reverie - (pg. 44) a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream
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fleetingly - (pg. 44) for a very short time
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stenosis - (pg. 44) literally meaning narrowing, this process, often associated with aging, can cause pressure on your spinal cord or the nerves that go from your spinal cord to your muscles. Spinal senosis can happen in any part of your spine but is more common in the lower back.
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ventricles - (pg. 44) a hollow part or cavity in an organ, particularly the two main chamers of the heart, left and right, which are known as ventricles
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no offense - (pg. 45) informal, do not be offended (either by what was just said or what they are going to say next)
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geriatric - (pg. 45) an old person who is receiving special medical care
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aberration - (pg. 46) a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome
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deviation - (pg. 46) the action of departing from an established course or accepted standard
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junky - (pg. 46) a drug addict; a person with a compulsive habit or obsessive dependency on something
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plankton - (pg. 46) the small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water; many animals are adapted to feed on plankton
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defecating/defecation - (pg. 46) discharge feces from the body
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shit head - (pg. 46) vulgar slang, a contemptible person
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martini - (pg. 46) a cocktail made from gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth (a red or white wine flavored with aromatic herbs), typically garnished with an olive or a twist of lemon
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abomination - (pg. 47) a thing that causes disgust or hatred; a feeling of hatred
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melanin - (pg. 47) a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. The more melanin you produce, the darker your eyes, hair and skin will be.
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annihilation - (pg. 47) complete destruction or obliteration
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chit-chat/banter - (pg. 48) chit-chat: inconsequential conversation, talk about trivial matters, small talk; banter: the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks, talk or exchange remarks in a good-humored, teasing way
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queuing up - (pg. 48) British english, to wait in a line of people, often to buy something or receive something
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toppin' themselves - (pg. 48) informal, killing themselves; Quinn is recalling that there were apparently many men in the beginning of this competition who killed themselves before Murray; If you have any concerns or difficulty handling this heavy topic within the show, I am open and available for conversation, and the resources at CMU's Counseling and Psychological Services are available to assist in the case of a mental health need or crisis.
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notion - (pg. 49) a conception or belief about something
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mishaps - (pg. 49) an unlucky accident
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idiocy - (pg. 49) extremely stupid behavior
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conniving thieving ways - (pg. 49) conniving: given to or involved in conspiring to do something immoral, illegal, or harmful; thieving: being a thief, stealing something
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gibbering - (pg. 50) speaking rapidly and unintelligibly, typically through fear or shock
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Boy Scout - (pg. 51) North American, a member of the Boy Scout of America or a similar organization of boys; an honest, friendly, and typically naive man
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debris - (pg. 52) scattered pieces of waste or remains
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saturating - (pg. 52) causing something to become thoroughly soaked with liquid so that no more can be absorbed
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cools my brow - (pg. 52) to cool one's brow is cool off or lower the temperature of one's forehead which is implied to be hot and sweaty from warm temperature, or work and stress
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packet of biscuits - (pg. 52) biscuits: is a British English word for "cookies", but they are generally less sugary than American cookies, they are a small, flat, dry sweet or plain back of many varieties, baked from a dough. Biscuits in the UK are often had daily with tea either in the morning for breakfast or at teatime for an afternoon snack.
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saucer - (pg. 52) a shallow dish, typically having a circular indentation in the center, on a which a cup is placed, but which can also serve as a very small plate
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revolution - (pg. 53) a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in a favor of a new system
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Napoleon Bonaparte - (pg. 54) a French military commander and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. He was the leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804, then of the French Empire as Emperor of France from 1804 to 1814 and briefly again in 1815. Napoleon's political and cultural legacy endures as a celebrated and controversial leader.
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the expanding French Empire - (pg. 54) the primary priority of Napoleon Bonaparte when he established the French Empire and rule as Emperor was the expansion of the French Empire into other territories. In 1796 Napoleon began a military campaign against the Austrians and their Italian allies which he won. Two years later he led a military expedition to Egypt which he used to gain support for a coup he engineered in November 1799 to become the First Consul of the Republic. In 1804, in order to consolidate and expand his power, he crowned himself Emperor of the French. In subsequent years, Napoleon had victories which led to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, he defeated Prussia and marched the Grande Armée into Eastern Europe where he defeated the Russians in 1807. In 1808 he invaded the Iberian Peninsula and declared his brother the King of Spain. However, after this victory, Spain and Portugal revolted with the aid of the British, and Austria and Prussia joined forces with the Russians to defeat Napoleon. These coalitions ultimately forced Napoleon to abdicate the throne in April 1814.
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Joséphine de Beauharnais - (pg. 54) Joséphine Bonaparte, Viscountess of Beauharnais, was the Empress of the French as the first wife of Emperor Napoleon from May 18, 1804 until their marriage was annulled on January 10, 1810. As Napoleon's consort, she was also the Queen of Italy from May 1805 until the annulment. Her marriage to Napoleon was her second, her first husband, Alexandre de Beauharnais, was guillotined during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution and she was imprisoned in the Carmes Prison until 5 days after his execution. She had two children with her first husband, but because she did not bear Napoleon any children, he had their marriage annulled and married Marie Louise of Austria.
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pistol - (pg. 55) a small firearm/gun designed to be held in one hand
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Rhett Butler - (pg. 55) Rhett Butler is a fictional character in the 1936 novel Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and in the 1939 film adaptation of the same name. In the film, the role was played by Clark Gable and is one of his most recognizable and significant roles. The character's personality is cynical, charming, and that of a mocking philanderer. In the film, he is the "bad boy" of Southern American society and has made a name for himself as a wealthy scoundrel and a professional gambler. He becomes the love interest of Scarlett O'Hara in the film and their very tumultuous love story and marriage become the focal point of the film.
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Gone With the Wind - (pg. 55) Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical romance film adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. It is set in the American South against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era and tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara, played by Vivien Leigh, who is the daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, following her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes, who is married to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton, and Scarlett's subsequent marriage to Rhett Butler, played by Clark Gable. At the 12th Academy Awards, the film won 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Adapted Screenplay (Sidney Howard), Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), and Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel, becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award). However, the film (and the novel) has rightfully been criticized in as historical negationism, meaning distortion of the historical truth, glorifying slavery and the Lost Cause of the Confederacy myth, or the negationist myth that claims the cause of the Confederate States during the American Civil War was just heroic, and not centered on slavery. This myth, and this film by perpetuating this myth on a large and romantic scale, has continued to influence racism, gender roles, and religious attitudes in the Southern United States to the present day. For more in depth information on cultural reactions to the film over time, including protests and opposition from African Americans starting from the time the novel was first published, you can read more in this 2020 article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/14/movies/gone-with-the-wind-battle.html
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Clark Gable-style - (pg. 55) William Clark Gable (February 1901 - November 1960) was an American film actor. Often referred to as The King of Hollywood, he had roles in more than 60 motion pictures in a variety of genres during a career that lasted 37 years. He was known for his charm and very intense romantic seductive quality in his, often romantic leading man, roles.
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American Confederate flag - (pg. 55) the American Confederate Battle Flag was a flag utilized by the American Confederate Army during the American Civil War which began in 1861. Although there are multiple variations of the flag, the most common design, known as the "Southern Cross'' feature a blue saltire (diagonal cross), trimmed with white, with 13 white stars (representing the 11 states of the Confederacy plus Missouri and Kentucky), on a field of red. Modern displays of the flag began when it was used by the Dixiecrats, a political party the opposed civil rights for African Americans. Further display of the flag was a response to the civil rights movement and the passage of federal civil rights laws in the 1950s and 60s. Today, the display of the Confederate flag continues to be utilized as a method of perpetrating and celebrating the myth of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy (see entry "Gone with the Wind'' on pg. 40), racism, slavery, segregation, white supremacy, historical negationism, and treason. The flag currently holds significant political power and can be used as a method of invoking fear or hatred towards people of color and is therefore a very dangerous and abhorrent symbol.
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Scarlett O'Hara - (pg. 55) Katie Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler is a fictional character and the protagonist in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and the 1939 film of the same name. In the film she was portrayed by the British actress Vivien Leigh. The character was born in 1845 on her family's plantation and is from a Catholic family of Irish ancestry on her paternal side and French ancestry on her maternal side. At the start of the novel/film she is vain, self-centered, and very spoiled by her wealthy parents. She can also be insecure, but she is very intelligent, but only acts the "Southern belle" role in order to win over her "beaus" or suitors. The film follows her journey as she is rejected by the first man she wishes to marry, so she choses to marry Charles Hamilton, who subsequently dies in war. After that she marries Frank Kennedy for his money in order to save her family's plantation. Frank is killed in a KKK raid. Later on she marries Rhett Butler, for his money, but also from a long history of flirtation between the two of them. They have a daughter, however she tragically dies in a riding accident, and Rhett Butler leaves her after being unable to cope with the death of her daughter and Scarlett ends the novel/film vowing to try and win him back.
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Shakespeare's Juliet at her balcony - (pg. 56) this is a reference and portrayal of Juliet from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. One of the most famous and well-known tragic love stories of Western literature, Romeo and Juliet follows the story of two star-crossed lovers from rivaling families. They fall in love in spite of their families opposition to their union. This moment is taken from one of the most iconic scenes in the play when Juliet stands at her balcony while Romeo romantically calls to her.
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vial of poison - (pg. 56) this is a reference to the vial of poison that Romeo takes that kills him at the end of the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet. Romeo chooses to take the poison because he believes that Juliet has died, however she has only taken a sleeping draught which will cause her to appear dead in order to escape their families which don't approve of their love and union.
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Romeo - (pg. 56) Romeo is the romantic figure opposite Juliet in the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet.
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Jackie Kennedy - Jacqeline Lee Kennedy Onassis (July 28, 1929 - May 19 1994) was an American socialiet, writer, photographer, and book editor who served as the first lady of the United States from 1961 to 1963, as the wife of President John F. Kennedy. She was very popular and endeared by the American public with her devotion to her family, dedication to the historic preservation of hte White House, the campaigns she led to preserve and restore historic landmarks and architecture along with her interest in American hsitory, culture, and arts. During her lifetime, she was regarded as an international icon for her unique fashion choices, and her work as a cultural ambassador for the United States made her very popular globally.
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drawn a blank - (pg. 58) to fail to find or remember something
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lumpen - (pg. 60) meaning the way that a material that is liquid or smooth may become lumpy and think if left out for a long period of time.
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