Fantasy and Illusion in 'Sunset Boulevard': Key Words

Hallucination

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

• A sudden feeling of intense fear or discomfort.

• A temporary state of confusion or disorientation.

• An exaggerated belief in one's abilities or importance.

Self-deception

• The act of lying to oneself to avoid painful truths.

• A method of self-improvement through honesty.

• A psychological condition requiring professional help.

• A technique for enhancing personal relationships.

Idealisation

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

• A method of simplifying complex ideas into basic concepts.

• The process of exaggerating negative aspects of a situation.

• A technique used to create a realistic portrayal of events.

Surrealism

• A style of art that emphasizes realistic representation

• A dreamlike distortion of reality, often through visual or narrative techniques.

• A movement focused on the depiction of everyday life

• An artistic approach that prioritizes abstract forms

Facade

• An outward appearance that conceals an underlying reality.

• A decorative front of a building.

• A type of architectural style.

• A hidden room in a house.

Obsession

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

• A casual interest in various activities.

• A temporary distraction from daily life.

• A strong dislike for certain tasks.

Myth-making

• Constructing a fictionalised version of the past or oneself.

• Creating a historical account based on facts.

• Documenting real events in chronological order.

• Analyzing the impact of myths on culture.

Escapism

• Avoiding reality through fantasy or illusion.

• Engaging in productive activities to face challenges.

• Seeking truth and understanding in difficult situations.

• Confronting problems head-on without distraction.

Delusion

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

• A temporary state of confusion or disorientation.

• A strong feeling of certainty about a fact that is actually false.

• A psychological condition characterized by extreme mood swings.

Exaggeration

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

• Minimizing facts to create a more favorable impression.

• Presenting information in a straightforward manner without embellishment.

• Using humor to downplay serious situations.