Form, structure and language – WJECHow to analyse language
A Taste of Honey is a play. The dialogue reflects the tense but sometimes humorous exchanges that occur between Jo and Helen whilst the structure of the play is highlighted by the use of music.
Shelagh Delaney introduces humour into this extract from the play when Helen and Jo argue about Jo’s ability to earn money after leaving school.
Helen
Why, are you still set on leaving school at Christmas?
Jo
Yes.
Helen
What are you going to do?
Jo
Get out of your sight as soon as I can get a bit of money in my pocket.
Helen
Very wise too. But how are you going to get your money in the first place? After all, you’re not very fond of work, are you?
Jo
No, I take after you.
Question
How does the language used in this extract tell us something about the characters as well as provide some humour?
Jo is very abrupt when talking to her mother and lets her know she cannot wait to be away from her. She is also being very sarcastic when she says this.
Helen does not get angry with Jo for saying she wants to get away from her. Helen actually agrees with her. This suggests Helen knows she is a bad mother.
Helen is sarcastic and implies Jo is lazy and will not want to work.
Jo does not allow her mother to have the last word on the matter and ends the conversation by saying that if this is the case she must take after Helen.
Overall, Shelagh Delaney provides the audience with the impression that Helen and Jo are witty women who are used to bickering with each other.