Tally's Blood - Quotes and Analysis - Ann Marie Di Mambro

Question 1

ROSINELLA - I don’t know anybody works so hard as the Italian men

Answer 1

• Ironic, as she is speaking we can visually see Hughie working very hard in the shop
• Juxtaposition between Hughie’s work ethic and Rosinella’s prejudice show how ridiculous and unfounded her prejudice really is

Question 2

ROSINELLA - You said you got plans for my Lucia

Answer 2

• Became extremely protective over Lucia despite her not being her own daughter. Lucia grew up with Rosinella and sees her as more of a parent than Luigi

Question 3

ROSINELLA - Franco, he’s Italian, he’s played around a wee bit with some Scotch girls - so what? You’re no the first and you’ll no be the last

Answer 3

• Rosinella is openly hostile towards Bridget
• Assumes that all Scotch girls have looser morals than Italian girls

Question 4

ROSINELLA - marry your own kind. You watch none of them catches you

Answer 4

• Rosinella compares all Scottish girls to predators
• ‘Them’ and ‘they’ make large generalisations unfairly

Question 5

ROSINELLA - these Scotch girls they’re all the same. They just go out with you for one thing - because your father’s got a shop and they think you’ve got money

Answer 5

• Racial prejudice
• Believes that Scottish women are only interested in a man for his money

Question 6

ROSINELLA - listen hen, you’re Italian, that makes you special

Answer 6

• Racial prejudice

Question 7

MASSIMO - listen Rosie, I thought you went to Glasgow to buy yourself a new coat?

ROSINELLA - oh, but when I saw that wee dress I just had to get her it

Answer 7

• Lucia is spoiled
• Rosinella happily makes personal sacrifices for Lucia’s sake

Question 8

MASSIMO - (smiles with great affection. Squeezes her cheek between his thumb and fore finger)

Answer 8

• Shows that Massimo is a pleasant, affectionate person
• Devoted, family man, parental love for his niece

Question 9

MASSIMO - listen hen, you’ve no to bother about paying it back you hear?

Answer 9

• Better off than their neighbours and reflected in Bridget’s need for £2 and Massimo’s ability to give her £3

Question 10

MASSIMO - I always thought I was lucky. I had two countries. Now I feel I’ve got nowhere

Answer 10

Since the outbreak of war, the family had been targeted because they are Italian

Question 11

BRIDGET - see if Italy does come into the war, Mr Pedreschi, you’ll no have to worry. Everybody likes you.

Answer 11

• Dramatic irony
• However, in the war he is labelled a Tally and victimised because of this

Question 12

BRIDGET - I thought Franco didn’t love me. You told me that

Answer 12

• Rosinella is xenophobic and controlling

Question 13

HUGHIE - I have waited years-years for Lucia. Blending into the background, knowing my place - ‘och it’s just you’

Question 14

HUGHIE - I have come for Lucia and I am not leaving without her

Answer 14

• Determination, completely dedicated to Lucia, stubborn perseverance

Question 15

LUCIA - I had to feed the pigs Rosinella…and fetch the water and pick the olives

Answer 15

• Lucia is unused to work as she is always spoiled

Question 16

LUCIA - If I want something I’m not supposed to get - I just - cry

Answer 16

• Women are more likely to manipulate, men more likely to use brute force

Question 17

FRANCO - I cannie be expected to spend my whole life working from morning till night in a wee pokey shop

Answer 17

• Signs up to fight for British before Italy entered the war
• Died in war fighting for British
• Proud of Italian heritage
• Sees himself as British

Question 18

LUIGI - when you’ve finished the clothes, you’ve to come up to the house. Ma wife’s going to teach you to clean a chicken

Answer 18

• Instead of Luigi showing Lucia himself, he gets his wife to do it, highlighting his lazy qualities