The Portrayal of Joan and Harper

You need to consider Joan’s age. Will you portray her as a young girl? What effect will this have? How will you achieve this through costume and makeup?

I consider Joan to be around the age of 10, due to her acknowledgement that adults aren’t as faultless as younger children believe: she does not idolise Harper but question her. This curiosity is further enhanced by her more manipulative attitude, which I consider to be highly impactful on the audience; as, the more Joan dissects Harper’s story, the more engrossed they become in the unfolding events. Joan’s costume would consist of an off-white nightgown. The off-white colour is symbolic of Joan’s childhood innocence gradually being ‘infected’, and the use of a nightgown as opposed to pyjamas continues the scripts ambiguity surrounding the era.

Is it significant that she is merely a witness of shocking events and seems to have no understanding of them? Do you think Churchill was making a social comment here?

I would disagree, I consider Joan to be very aware of what’s going on even if she doesn’t understand why it’s happening. However I believe the same social comment is made whatever interpretation you have of Joan’s comprehension. Churchill appears to be demonstrating the dangers of the bystander effect. She is asking her audience if they saw something as atrocious as what Joan saw; whether or not they would step in, call for help, or walk away.

Do you think that Churchill has used the character of Harper to present meanings about our own behaviour? Do you think Harper’s responses to Joan are lies? Could you use costume to portray messages about Harper?

I don’t think Harper herself represents the behaviour of the audience, rather that she encourages the relatable behaviours of Joan. She lies to Joan thereby enabling the inquisitive and analytical nature of Joan’s character. Harper’s costume would consist of black trousers and a plaid shirt. This is as her character seems very practical, and this would allow for that whilst not being specifically attributable to one era and therefore giving her character generalisability to many different audiences.

Perhaps you feel that Harper is merely behaving as a responsible guardian would, trying to comfort a frightened child. Do you think there is any truth in what Joan witnessed? Is Harper ignorant of her husband’s actions or is she hiding something?

I believe what Joan witnessed was true, and that in itself is a sign that Harper is far from a responsible carer. Harper seems like a very aware character and her devising nature plays into the idea that she is not only aware of what her husband is doing but assisting him.

Far Away Mrs Griffiths Theory