Fantasy and Illusion in 'Sunset Boulevard': Key Words

Front

Delusion

Back

A false belief maintained despite evidence to the contrary (e.g., Norma’s belief in her comeback).

Front

Self-deception

Back

The act of lying to oneself to avoid painful truths.

Front

Facade

Back

An outward appearance that conceals an underlying reality.

Front

Obsession

Back

An intense fixation on something unattainable (e.g., Norma’s fixation on fame).

Front

Escapism

Back

Avoiding reality through fantasy or illusion.

Front

Hallucination

Back

A distorted perception of reality (e.g., Norma’s belief that the cameras are rolling).

Front

Idealisation

Back

Viewing something in an unrealistically perfect way (e.g., Norma’s perception of her past stardom).

Front

Exaggeration

Back

Overstating reality to create an illusion (e.g., Norma’s dramatic mannerisms).

Front

Myth-making

Back

Constructing a fictionalised version of the past or oneself.

Front

Surrealism

Back

Dreamlike distortion of reality, often through visual or narrative techniques.