Men Should Weep

Question 1

‘A space has been cleared , centre, for a mattress on the floor with pillows, blankets and old coats’

Answer 1

• Theme of poverty
• Idea that they cannot afford a proper bed
• The family has to make do with what they have

Question 2

Lily (talking to Maggie):

“Livin in a slum an slavin efter a useless man an his greetin weans”

Answer 2

• Theme of poverty
• Shows how even Maggie’s family view the house as a mess
• Maggie is made out to be more of a slave than a wife

Question 3

Edie:

“Ma. I’m hungry, Ma”

Answer 3

• Theme of poverty

- Shows that the Morrisons cannot afford enough food to keep their children going through the day

Question 4

Edie:

“I’ve nae breeks”

Answer 4

• Theme of poverty

- Shows that the children do not have suitable clothes due to the lack of money Maggie and John have

Question 5

Lily (talking about christopher):

“Whit else is bowly legs but rickets?”

Answer 5

• Theme of poverty

Question 6

Maggie:

“Someday we’ll have a wireless, son”

Answer 6

• Theme of poverty

- Shows that Maggie doesn’t have enough money to afford the things that her children want such as a ‘wireless’

Question 7

Lily:
“And ye can tell yon precious Alec o yours that the next time he maks enough at the dugs, tae get fleetin drunk in the middle o Argyle Street, he can pay me back ma ten shilingy note”

Answer 7

• Theme of poverty

- This shows that Alec gambles, gets drunk and borrows money since he can’t afford to get by in everyday life

Question 8

Jenny (talking about her mum waiting at her work for rotten fruit:
“I had enough o Ma waitin at the shop door every Friday closing time….askin for chipped apples an bashed tomatoes an disgracing me afore the hale shop

Answer 8

• Theme of poverty
• Shows Maggie can’t afford to go and buy decent food for her family and has to ask Jenny for any ruined, left over fruit.