Scottish Set Text - MSW - Act Three Flashcards
Summary - some time has passed (the afternoon of Christmas Eve)
is clear that the Morrison family are now living in slightly better circumstances. The kitchen is tidier and has more material possessions - a radio is playing. Granny is back home. and Maggie and Ernest joke about lazz music. A much happier john arrives with a Christmas present for Maggie - a red hat which reminds the couple of their courting days. Granny makes fun of the hat, but Maggie is delichted with it. lohn and Ernest leave to buy some other presents. On the way out. they meet Mrs Harris and Mrs Bone who are stopping in for tea with Maggie. We learn that John now has a iob driving a van and that things are looking up for the family.
The women discuss Maggie’s new hat: it becomes clear that Mageie and lohn’s relationship is a closer one than that enioyed by the others in the close. Lily arrives with a gift of gloves for Maggie. Alec then arrives looking for Isa - his anxious mood is ominous. It is clear he has something on his mind, and he is rude to the company. He leaves, making threats about Isa, and Maggie follows him. While she is away. the neighbours tell Lily that they have seen Jenny, and that she looked a right mess’. Maggie comes back and hears Jenny’s name, but the neighbours avoid telling her what they have seen. Maggie reflects on her love for Jenny. The women are interrupted by a knock from Mr Bone in the upstairs flat and by the voice of Mr Harris demanding attention from his wife. The neighbours leave. Maggie and Lily decide to go shopping; they put Granny to bed before they leave.
Later that afternoon, Isa come into the house. She packs her case to leave and is making her way to the door when she is interrupted by Alec, who has been looking for her. He is angry that she has stayed out all night. He produces a knife and it is clear that he intends to harm her. She starts to scream, and he drops the knife but almost strangles her. He releases her and she tricks him before running off. He chases her.
Lily and Maggie return and find the knife. They figure out that Isa has left. Lily tries to reassure Maggie that things will be okay, but Maggie admits that she has spoiled Alec. Lily is comforting Maggie when there is a knock at the door.
When Lily opens the door, Jenny is waiting outside. Far from being ‘a right mess’, it is clear that Jenny has done well for herself. She is well-dressed. Lily’s reaction is cool, but Maggie is overioyed to see her. Jenny tells Maggie that she had faced difficult times after leaving home: she had contemplated suicide but was saved by the thought of her father. She also reveals that she has been to the hospital and learned that Bertie will not be allowed home to the Morrisons’ flat as it is too unhealthy for him. To help her family, Jenny has been carefully saving to give Maggie the money for moving to a bigger and nicer flat beside a park. She offers fifty pounds - a great deal of money at that time - to her mother.
John arrives home. He refuses to accept the money, calling Jenny a ‘tart’. When Maggie watches Jenny’s distress, she asserts herself. She takes the money from her daughter and humiliates John, pointing out that she was his ‘tart’ when they were courting. Ashamed, John is unable to defend himself. Maggie tells Jenny that she could ‘aye manage John, and the play ends with a hopeful Maggie thinking of a better future.
“Mair money than sense. Ye’ll rue the day the baith o the two o ye”
Grannies dialogue highlights the theme of poverty she is conscious about spending money because prior to Christmas the Morrisons had near enough nothing to their name and is concerned about this
“(She is quite overcome)”
Maggie’s stage directions show that she is not used to being spoiled and this is a happy moment for her in the play
“This is the first Christmas I’ve had a decent job for ten year; it’s gonna be the best. The best!”
Johns dialogue describes his efforts to make this Christmas a special one which suggests he is determined to give back to the family after all those years he wasn’t able to
“(His pleasure matching hers)”
The stage directions suggests that the hat is something which brings back emotions and it is important in Maggie and johns relationship
“Turning to John for approbation. He nods. She gives him a kiss, almost in tears”
The stage directions show their affection towards each other as Maggie is overwhelmed which suggests there is a deeper meaning to John giving Maggie the hat
“We didnae invite your opinion granny”
The dialogue shows that despite granny talking bad about the couple Maggie and John are unfazed suggesting their relationship is still in a good place
“Never heed her, John. I think it’s lovely”
The dialogue when Maggie defends the hat because it is so special suggests that it holds significance in their relationship
“Watch! Ye’ll rive oot the linin!”
Maggie’s exclamation shows she is eager to keep the hat perfect suggesting how protective she is of the hat
“ I heard ye! I heard ye!”
Granny’s dialogue shows that the repetition emphasises how irritated the whole situation is making her suggesting she is short tempered
“Wait on, Maggie, wait on. Yer ain day’ll come by yer sons fireside.”
Granny’s dialogue when she attacks Maggie suggest she is certain her future will be miserable because of the way Alec acts
“ I think I’ll chap Mrs Bone for a wee cup wi us.”
Maggie’s dialogue shows how welcoming the family are towards the neighbours and they want to include them on this special day
“I Chappit Mrs Harris in the passin”
Mrs bones dialogue shows that there is no need to check with one another to invite more people which suggests how comfortable they are with one another
“Daein fine noo, aren’t ye?”
The dialogue shows that they look out for one another suggesting they are happy to see the Morrisons doing well
“My! Rangers’ll he signin ye.”
The over exaggeration shows that they make the child feel good about himself suggesting their kind nature
