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Betrayal and Loyalty. To understand the film’s message about betrayal. Write down three examples of betrayal from the film. Just fill in the first column for now. Fill in the second column: what motivates these characters to act in this way?. Desire? Ambition? Fame? Frustration? Revenge?.
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Betrayal and Loyalty To understand the film’s message about betrayal.
Write down three examples of betrayal from the film. Just fill in the first column for now.
Fill in the second column: what motivates these characters to act in this way? • Desire? • Ambition? • Fame? • Frustration? • Revenge?
A definition: Betrayal 1. To give aid or information to an enemy; commit treason against. 2. To be false or disloyal.
Close analysis: Eve Eve’s willingness to betray those in high places who have supported her, in order to further her own ends, is what makes her one of a kind. Eve’s actions are motivated by her intense desire/determination to fulfil her fantasy. Eventually, she admits the lengths that she will go to, to secure her fame and fortune. “I’d do much more for a part that good.” “Imagine every night to know that thousand of people love you. They want you, you belong. Just that alone is worth anything.”
How does Eve manipulate Margo and the other insiders? • Tells them of her family’s poverty • Recounts the difficulties of working in a brewery • Creates the story about the death of Eddie • Then, once Margo takes pity on her, she makes herself indispensable to Margo. “It appears there isn’t anything you haven’t thought of already”-Margo
How does she then betray their trust? • She intrudes on the relationship between Margo and Bill. (Organising the phone call and the surprise party, sending her own telegram to Bill). • She attempts to seduce Bill. “[Margo] helped and trusted you. You paid her back by trying to take Bill away”- Addison • She manipulates Karen into her helping her become Margo’s understudy, get to perform (due to Margo’s absence) and later, to acquire the part of Cora. • She attempts to seduce Lloyd. (Both men can advance her career- more important than loyalty).
Eve and Addison • She also betrays Addison’s trust and pays a hefty price for doing so. “Sometimes I think you keep things from me, Eve.” “I’m nobody’s fool, the least of all yours.” “After tonight, you belong to me.” *What relationship do Eve and Addison have in the end of the film?
What are the consequences of Eve’s betrayal? Complete a PMI.
Close analysis: Karen Karen (as an outsider) is frustrated that Margo has “every reason to be happy” and yet she complains and appears miserable at times. • She decides that Margo ‘ha[s] it coming’ and believes that Eve deserves a fair chance to play the part. It is ironic when Margo says that it is “one of destiny’s merry pranks, after all you didn’t personally brain the tank of gas yourself”.
The consequences of Karen’s betrayal • She opens herself up to being manipulated by Eve. Eve threatens to destroy both her reputation and her friendship with Margo. “What would happen to it... if she knew the cheap trick you played on her?” • She regrets her actions. Her laughter, after Margo decides she does not wish to play the part of Cora after all, is brought on by nervous relief.
Close analysis: LloydWho does he betray? “It strikes me that Eve’s disloyalty and ingratitude must be contagious”- Karen “For once to write something and have it realized completely. For once not to compromise.” – Lloyd "Lloyd never got around somehow to asking whether it was all right with me for Eve to play Cora." – Karen
The importance of loyalty In the theatre, one’s reputation is paramount. This is why Eve is able to blackmail Karen, as Karen has jeopardised Lloyd’s and her own reputations. “You and Lloyd: how long, even in the theatre, before people forgot what happened and trusted you again?”- Eve
Loyalty is also seen to be important when Eve, despite her success, receives criticism and is not accepted by some people in the theatre who remain loyal to Margo. “I’ve been told off all over town. Ms Channing should be happy to hear that... to know how loyal her friends are” -Eve Other examples?
Task • Write a paragraph on the topics below: Betrayal is necessary in order to get ahead in the theatre.
Reflection • What might the film’s message be about betrayal? Who (and what qualities) does the film position the reader to be critical of?