Synopsis of Scenes of Shifting Heart

Synopsis of the Scenes ACT I Set in Collingwood (Melbounre) in the early evening of Christmas Eve, late 1950s, this scene introduces most of the characters of the play and also the conflicts existing both between the Italian immigrant family, the Bianchis and their resentful neighbours. During the scene, Momma and Poppa fight about how to react to the treatment they recieve from their neighbours and Poppa confronts Clarry about his promise to take Gino …

…upcoming inquest. The true situation of Clarry’s family is revealed. Clarry is argumentative throughout the scene and both his and Poppa’s tempers flareas they argue about Gino and what will happen to the family now. Clarry exits the scene but, just as he has left, a baby’s cry can be heard and he enters again. In a tribute to his late brother-in-law, Clarry makes the decision to name his newborn son Gino.