Just like us, lots of our GCSE and A-Level English Lit characters accessorise! But what does each character’s choice of accessory suggest about them? Let’s ask Gracie Abrams and friends!
ACTIVITY 1
Read all about earrings below and then consider Gracie’s use of the accessory in ‘That’s So True’.
Your first thought might be that earrings are simply decorative – certainly this can be the case. In Ancient Egypt, though, both men and women wore earrings to indicate social rank and wealth, often featuring precious gems and metals. In ancient Greece and Rome, earrings symbolised elegance and femininity, with complex designs showcasing artistic skill. Across time, earrings have signified different things e.g. scholars, warriors, and tradespeople often wore distinctive styles that represented their vocations. The emotions tied to these markers range from pride and honour to jealousy and aspiration, showing how such small objects can carry significant emotional weight. In some African spiritual practices, specific earring designs are believed to protect the wearer from evil forces, serving as talismans for spiritual and physical well-being. These adornments are not just accessories but expressions of religious beliefs and a desire for a tangible connection to the divine. As the Roman Empire wore on, the wearing of earrings started to be seen as a more exclusively feminine practice. However, earrings made something of a triumphant comeback during the Renaissance (14th century – 17th century). Earrings also became popular with gentlemen once more, with the iconic writer and poet William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) and explorers Sir Francis Drake (1540 – 1596) and Sir Walter Raleigh (1552 – 1618) all having been depicted wearing an earring. It was around this time, too, that sailors also began to wear earrings, often made of solid Gold. The intent was that if they ever fell overboard and were washed up on shore somewhere, the jewellery would pay for their funeral. Some sailors even had the name of their home port engraved into the earring so they could be returned to their families for burial. There’s also some truth to the popular depiction of pirates wearing earrings. Young pirates were often given an earring the first time they crossed the equator or when they plundered their first ship, and it was also thought to be a sign that a pirate had survived a shipwreck. It was believed that wearing an earring could act as a talisman to protect against seasickness, improve eyesight and prevent drowning, too.
Gracie Abrams, ‘That’s So True’
“I’ll put up a fight, taking out my earrings.”
Based on what we’ve learned about earrings, what could Gracie Abrams’ act of taking them off signify? Think about how the action gives us an insight into her feelings and the mood of the moment.
ACTIVITY 2
When Julius Caesar led the first Roman invasion of Britain in 55 BC, Scottish pearls were on his mind. Pearls were a symbol of wealth and power in Ancient Rome, and at that time the world’s very finest natural freshwater pearls came from the riverbeds of Scotland. In Greek mythology, pearls are said to be the tears of joy shed by Aphrodite, the goddess of love. She was born from sea foam, after all. Accordingly, Aphrodite (or Venus, as she’s known in Roman mythology) is frequently depicted wearing or in close proximity to pearls. In Natural History, Pliny the Elder describes how Cleopatra (69 B.C.–30 B.C.), the Egyptian queen, dissolved a rather expensive pearl earring (“the largest in the whole of history,” according to Pliny*) in vinegar—and drank it—just to win a bet against Marc Anthony. She had wagered that she could spend 10 million sesterces on one meal, and thanks to the pearl cocktail, she did. As for ribbons, they took on political significance in the 17th century, with the Whigs and Tories adopting different colored ribbons to distinguish their political factions. Despite various spelling variants throughout history, the meaning of the word ‘ribbon’ remained the same, referring to a long, narrow strip of textile used in decoration or binding. Ribbons are some of the oldest adorning and decorative materials, with prominent usage dating back to the Middle Ages. Copious amounts of ribbon are required by the gift market
*the largest single work to have survived from the Roman Empire to the modern day, the Natural History compiles information gleaned from other ancient authors.
Maggie Lindemann, ‘Pretty Girl’
“F*** your ribbons and your pearls.”
Based on what we’ve learned about pearls and ribbons, what could Maggie Lindemann’s rejection of them signify? Think about how that rejection gives us an insight into her feelings and the mood of the moment.
ACTIVITY 3
Taylor Swift, ‘You Belong With Me’
“Walking the streets with you in your worn-out jeans… she wears high heels, I wear sneakers”
Based on what we’ve learned about jeans high heels and sneakers, what could Taylor Swift’s reference to these things signify? Think about how those jeans and footwear choices might give us an insight into her feelings and the character of the both the speaker, the boy and the other girl.
ACTIVITY 4
Apply today’s thinking when analysing your course authors’ use of accessories! Aim to use the most interesting and original ideas explored above – the ideas you think others might not have considered. Do some more reading about the different accessories specific to your texts – particularly in relation to how those accessories might have been understood at the time your author was writing. You will find some exciting things to say! And our A* students are always the ones who write with that sense of excitement, energy and originality!
Next, do some of your own creative writing with YUNGBLUD. Why not try accessorising your characters in interesting ways!