Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart Contemporary

Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart Contemporary Scottish Theatre

Exam questions Men Should Weep should be used to answer questions on: Social, political and religious dimensions or Issues of gender

Scottish History • Glasgow took the brunt of the depression in the 1930 s and acquired many negative stereotypes. • Unemployment, sub-standard housing and poor levels of health had a dramatic effect on the national character of Scotland. • Men returning from the war found that woman had taken on jobs due to the shortage of men and these therefore became labelled as female jobs. • After the war ended there wasn’t the need for weapons, which resulted in a significant loss of jobs, and unemployment for those who had fought in the war.

• Religious sectarianism was rife in Glasgow. Although the country had been predominantly Protestant since the Reformation, an influx of Irish immigrants, drawn to the industry on Clydeside throughout the 19 th and early 20 th century, had established a large Catholic community. • Unemployed, skilled labourers from the Protestant community complained bitterly about Irish immigrants taking 'their jobs' and this brought ruthless discrimination in the labour market. • The Church of Scotland positively encouraged this anti-Catholic feeling at the time. Children generally went to either Catholic or Protestant schools, they lived in different streets and areas of the city, and the rivalry was played out on the football field between Rangers and Celtic.

Historical Timeline • David Lloyd George, a Liberal became Prime Minister in 1916. Lloyd George was acclaimed as the man who had won the war. He also set up a ‘welfare state. ’ • 11 November 1918: The First World War comes to an end. During the war 140, 000 Scots are killed. • 22 January 1924: Ramsay Mac. Donald becomes Britain's first Labour Prime Minister, the first Prime Minister from a working-class background, and one of very few without a university education. • 1928: The National Party for Scotland is founded.

• 1928: All women over 21 are given the vote: married women over 30 got it in 1918. • 1929 : the Wall Street Crash heralded the global Great Depression and Britain was particularly badly hit. • 5 June 1929: Ramsay Mac. Donald becomes Prime Minister for the second time. • • 1930: Unemployment in Scotland reaches 25% during the depression years. 1931: Labour lost support so Ramsay led a coalition of two governments • April 1934: The Scottish National Party is founded. • 9 November 1937: The death of Ramsay Mac. Donald, Prime Minister of Great Britain. • 3 September 1939: The Second World War is declared.

Issues • • Poverty / Unemployment Gender Roles Stereotypes Scottish History

Poverty • • Social conditions Setting / living environment Urban Scotland Deprivation Social divisions Impact on characters / relationships Economic decline / post war Depression Characterisation / portrayal.

Find quotes for the following: • • • Poor quality housing Unsanitary conditions Lack of food and malnutrition Lack of income Extreme poverty Granny’s living situation

Gender • • Setting / Period Community Identity Inequality The Work Place Role of women / men Domestic violence Character background Morals/values/ beliefs

Find quotes for the following: • • • Maggie’s role in the household Jenny’s behaviour Lily’s job Isa’s attitude towards Alec John’s lack of employment Alec’s dishonesty.

Stereotypes • • • Life in Scotland present and past Religion Power relations The disintegration of family Dysfunctional families Cultural environment

Find quotes for the following • • Expected role of children Women’s jobs Men’s jobs The neighbours attitude to the Morrison family.

Past Questions Social, political and religious dimensions • Explain how any Scottish play you have studied has helped you to understand the social conditions of the time in which it was written. (1994) • Explain how Scottish playwrights use characters to convey social issues in their plays. You must refer to at least three characters. (2005)

Past Questions Issues of Gender • Discuss the extent to which Scottish playwrights explore inequality between men and women. (2005) • Contemporary Scottish plays are full of sexual stereotypes. Discuss this statement. (2007)