Scottish Set Text - MSW - Act One Scene One Flashcards
Summary - a winters evening in the 1930s
- We first see Maggie trying to cope with the domestic chaos of looking after her five younger children and Granny. Her sister Lily, a spinster, arrives to help out and gently chides Maggie for the clutter and for not looking after herself.
Maggie defends herself by pointing out that she is paid wi love’ from her husband and family. - John arrives and it is clear that there is some tension between Lily and John. When John jokes with Lily, she leaves in a huff, reminding the couple that Alec (their eldest son) owes her money.
-The neighbours arrive and tell Maggie and John that Alec and Isa’s tenement has collapsed. John does not want Alec and Isa to stay in the Morrisons’ already crowded flat, but agrees that the couple can stay for one night. He goes off to find them, leaving Maggie and the neighbours to ‘blether’. Maggie annoys Mrs Harris by talking about Mary Harris having headlice. The neighbours leave an exhausted Maggie waiting for news of Alec and Isa.
“(She sinks into a chair and sighs, then yawns widely)”
When Maggie yells at the children Maggie’s lack of energy suggests she is worn out from her life as a mother
“Oh it’s a terrible thing tae be aul wi naebody wantin yae”
The dialogue of granny suggests she feels that she is not valued which highlights how elderly were treated after struggling for their children
“If a woman did everythin that ought to be done aboot the hoose, she’d go on a day an a night till she drapped doon deid”
Maggie’s dialogue suggests that women at the time of the play are responsible for so much work if they attempted to do it all they would severely hurt themselves physically and mentally
“I wish ye could put yersel tae bed. You’re as much bother as anither wean”
The dialogue of Maggie suggests that granny adds to her burden of responsibilities and she can be a hassle to deal with
“(Dips the baby’s dummy into it and retires again behind a curtain: the wails cease abruptly)”
Maggie’s stage directions highlight the level of stress she is coping with as despite knowing that sugar is not great for the child she wants one less problem to be dealing with
“I hope you don’t think I’m enviyn you because you managed tae get the haud o a man. Look at ye! Dae ye never rin a comb through yer hair?
Lilys dialogue shows she is not jealous of Maggie’s poor living conditions this suggests breaking stereotypes about the roles of women
“Livin in a slum and slavin efter a useless man an his greetin weans”
Lily’s dialogue shows that she is harsh about Maggie’s lifestyle and makes it clear she would rather not live a life like Maggie’s
“I’m paid wi love”
Maggie’s dialogue suggest her motherly nature no matter how hard and exhausting motherhood is she defends her family and claims to be satisfied by looking after he children
“(She sets the chair rocking fiercely and cries)”
Grannies stage directions show her helplessness and suggest she often feels like an imposition.
“(Gives a snort of disgust)”
Lilly’s stage directions show she can be judgmental and critical of her sister’s lifestyle.
“If ye’ve got weans, ye’ve got tae pit up wi the fella that geid ye them”
Maggie’s dialogue shows how women had to stick by their husband no matter what. Suggesting divorce was not an option because of money and the stigma attached to it
“You’s women! Ye’ve nae system”
Johns dialogue is criticising despite never dealing with the burdens of basic household tasks the way women are having to in this play suggests his lack of respect for women
“(Turning to lily with as much of a smile as he can muster )”
Johns stage direction describe a forced attempt at being nice to lily suggests there is tension between him and lily as he struggles to do so
“Puir lily! Goad help her… (sotto voce) the interferin bitch. Nae wunner she couldna get a man”
Johns dialogue shows he doesn’t recognise lilys efforts to support their family and instead mocks her suggesting he is an ungrateful character and undervalues women in his life
