Sailmaker: Theme of Poverty/ Social Class Quotes + Analysis

Question 1

‘the highbrow stuff, Dickens an that’ - Billy

Answer 1

• Davie reading books suggests he’s intelligent

- shows he’s a complex character as this goes against the stereotype of working class/ poor men not being smart

Question 2

‘the betting’s illegal ye see, the bookie gets done fae time tae time’ - Davie

Answer 2

• he’s betting to gain money + distract himself

- shows that for working class/ poor people this is a common hobby

Question 3

‘just wurnae the same opportunities when we were young’ - Davie

Answer 3

• he wants Alec to feel grateful because as they’re poor/ working class he might not get many opportunities like this
• he’s feeling sorry for himself as he must’ve been poor when he was young too/ kids just weren’t as fortunate when he was young