Sailmaker Flashcards
Alec’s Character:
“This wee mirror ae yours is really stupid!” - suggests Alec is a very critical character and can be disapproving.
“You could still be making things. Sellin them.” - suggests Alec is a helpful and encouraging character who wants Davie to escape the poverty cycle.
Davie’s Character:
(DAVIE slaps him, exits) - suggests Davie can be a violent and aggressive character.
“Ah knew ye could do it!” - suggests Davie can be a very excited and enthusiastic character who takes pride in his son.
Ian’s Character:
“Toffeenosed wee shites”- suggests Ian is quite a judgemental character as he is making assumptions about people he hasn’t met.
“It’ll bring ye bad luck” - suggests Ian is quite naive, superstitious and gullible.
Billy’s Character:
“Get it done this week.” - suggests Billy is a very organised and put together character.
“Ah hear the boy’s daein well at school” - suggests Billy is a caring character who is interested in his nephew’s success.
Poverty:
“Work aw yer days an what’ve ye got tae show for it?”- suggests Davie feels defeated for ending up in poverty despite having put the effort into getting an income previously.
“Electricity got cut off son. Couldnae pay the bill.” - suggests Davie and Alec are so deep into poverty that they cannot even afford basic living essentials like light or warmth in their home.
Social class:
“Look at the state ae us. We’re livin like bloody Steptoe and Son!” - suggests Alec is disgraced at their current living conditions and hasn’t yet adapted to being lower class since they will have lost some household income from his mother’s death.
“Just wurnae the same opportunities when we were young” - suggests Davie regrets not being able to get a stable job and income when he was younger and is blaming this on why they are living in the lower class in poverty.
Religion:
At one point in the play, Alec tells Ian about how he thought he saw Our Lady in the sky. This suggests Alec is relying on religion to give a sign his mother is okay.
“I felt this glow” - suggests Alec used his trips to the Mission as a way to cope with the death of his mother.
Father/Son Relationships:
“There’s a big crack doon the middle.” - The crack in the mirror symbolises Alec and Davie’s deteriorating and drifting father-son relationship.
“Can ye no talk tae me these days?” - suggests Davie is upset that his relationship with Alec is becoming more distant because they use as to be close.
At one point in the play, Billy gives Ian advice not to rush into joining the army. This shows Billy and Ian have a very caring relationship as Billy wants the best for Ian and is looking out for him.
Cousin Relationships:
“Ian’s an Aberdeen supporter now.” - suggests Alec is still interested and cares about Ian, despite them not seeing each other as often. This shows they still have a caring relationship.
“What’s funny?” - suggests Alec and Ian’s relationship is drifting at this point as Alec feels insecure and embarrassed in front of Ian and Ian seems to be jealous of Alec’s academic opportunities.
