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Symbols
The gramophone symbolizes the Boyle family’s illusions of wealth, escape, and cultural refinement. Purchased on credit after news of the inheritance, it represents their desire to transform their lives overnight and project a false image of prosperity. Jack sees it as a status symbol, while Mary associates it with modernity and pleasure. However, its artificiality—playing music without human touch—mirrors the Boyles’ detachment from reality. When Mrs. Madigan repossess the gramophone because Jack owes her money, it marks the collapse of the family’s illusions. The object’s rise and fall tracks the arc of the play, which begins with false hope and ends with painful truth. Like the new furniture and empty promises, the gramophone illustrates how the Boyles mistake surface change for real improvement—and pay the price for it.
The Gramophone Quotes in Juno and the Paycock
The Juno and the Paycock quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Gramophone. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 2
Quotes
Mary: I don’t know what you wanted a gramophone for—I know Charlie hates them; he says they’re destructive of real music.
Boyle: Desthructive of music - that fella ud give you a pain in your face. All a gramophone wants is to be properly played; its thrue wondher is only felt when everythin’s quiet—what a gramophone wants is dead silence!
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Act 3
Quotes
Mrs Madigan: So much th’ betther. It’ll be an ayse to me conscience, for I’m takin’ what doesn’t belong to you. You’re not goin’ to be swankin’ it like a paycock with Maisie Madigan’s money - I’ll pull some o’ th’ gorgeous feathers out o’ your tail! (She goes off with the gramophone.)
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Get the entire Juno and the Paycock LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Gramophone Symbol Timeline in Juno and the Paycock
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Gramophone appears in Juno and the Paycock. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 2
Juno and Mary arrive home carrying a newly purchased gramophone bought on credit. After setting down the gramophone, Juno voices concern about their escalating debts....
(full context)
Act 3
...Jack. Jack says he cannot repay her until the inheritance arrives, so she seizes the gramophone in return. As she exits, she mocks him and claims she is just taking what...
(full context)
