Sailmaker Themes

Learning Intentions To understand what themes are present in the play To use evidence to show how they are explored throughout the play To use close reading skills to analyse a section of the text

Theme: Religion and Football Quarter your page. Write the name of each character in one quarter. Find a piece of evidence for each to show their religious beliefs and attitudes. Suggested pages: 11, 14, 20, 23, 26, 36

Theme: Grief and Loss • Loss of the close relationship between father and son. P54/5 (pink book 37-8) • Loss of childhood hopes and dreams. P34 (23-24) • Loss of a mother. P6 (p3) • Loss of a wife. P6 (p3) • Loss of friendships. P36 (25) • Loss of roots. P63 (44) • Loss of trade. P16 (10) • Loss of money. P45 (31) • Loss of self-worth. P62 (43) • Loss of employment. P31 (21)

Theme: Poverty The theme is created through setting. What evidence is there that the play takes place in an area of deprivation in Glasgow? Suggested extracts: page 7 page 20 page 28

Theme: hopes and dreams Identify each character’s hope/dream and then find a quotation from the play to support your choice. Character Hopes and dreams Evidence Alec   Davie Ian Billy

Other Themes Education Escapism Violence Create a spider diagram for these remaining three themes.

Symbolism The yacht (throughout) Colours (throughout) Furniture (at the end) Tools (at the end) The broken mirror (p33)

The Yacht

Symbolism The model yacht is mentioned throughout the play. Davie promises he will fit it out with sails; a promise he never fulfils. The yacht comes to symbolise Davie’s failed promises to his son, and to himself: he never does manage to make anything better. The burning of the yacht symbolises the end of Alec’s childhood belief in Davie, and the end of Davie’s hope for the future.

Learning Review Is there anything you are unsure about in Sailmaker?