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Despite the dialogue being very realistic, there is a lot of imagery in O’Casey’s play.

There are frequent animal metaphors, for example the comparison to Jack Boyle as a peacock in his pride and pompous display.

Juno also describes Boyle - who complains about pains in his legs as the reason he cannot work - as being able to "skip like a goat" when he’s going to the pub.

There are also a number of animal-related verbs such as "struttin' ", "butcherin' ", "grousin’ " and "gallopin’ " in Act I, which perhaps suggest the animalistic nature of the poor.

These references stop however in Act II, after the Boyles find out about their inheritance.

Perhaps this is O’Casey’s way of commenting on the dehumanising conditions that the poor have to live in and how these conditions often brutalise the characters - causing them to become violent, exploitative and idle.