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How Does Gertrude Pratt Change In The Dressmaker

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Jocelyn Moorhouse, the director of the Dressmaker, explores how fashion shifts the women in Dungatar along with Tilly’s individual development portrayed in the film. Tilly’s arrival back in town sparks the interest of all women as they see the breathtaking dresses Tilly designs, creating a distasteful conflict within the townspeople. Gertrude Pratt is a prime example of the transformation relating to the fabric and Tilly’s journey letting her heal. Therefore reflecting the divide in the town, only connected by the clothes on their backs. Gertrude Pratt is one character that is embellished by the material creating a front for her terrible self. Gertrude embodies the values of a disliked person and can hide in a dress and pretend to be someone desired but a “dress [can’t] change anything” displaying the irony of Gertrude's beliefs and the reality masked but the women of Dungatar. The ugly duckling sits on Molly’s couch depicted in a mid-shot picturing her body language and stuck-upness believing that she is better than others, “everybody calls me Trudy now” exemplifies how Tilly's work impacted “Trudy's” behaviour and changing her …show more content…

Tilly goes on a journey of character development and uncovers the truth of the town's secrets, lies and deception. Tilly arrived as an anti-hero with so much to discover demonstrating this theme then she stepped off the bus in a close-up shot lighting a cigarette “I’m back you bastards” which infers the journey she is about to partake in. Molly and Tilly's relationship was a difficult challenge and the motherly role always changed but they were rekindling their connection by creating clothes although “I can’t sew” illustrates the time that has passed. Molly remembers and tells Tilly that “[her] centrelines off” letting Molly fix it. Through Tilly’s transformation, she has healed and mended herself and her relationships going off to a fresh

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