ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY SCOTTISH THEATRE GENDER ISSUES

STEREOTYPING Are any or all of the characters stereotypes? Is one sex represented more stereotypically than in the other play? Are stereotypes used to create humour? Has the playwright dictated a particular style of acting because of the way s/he has created the characters? Does the Scottish theatre reflect an acting style based upon the portrayal of stereotypes? Why do Scottish playwrights make so much use of stereotypes?

Symbolic Martyr: Are any of the characters created as symbolic martyrs? Romantic Hero Does the play have a romantic hero and if so, how does the playwright create this image? Is there a romantic heroine in the play? Is the image of the “macho” or “hard” man romanticised to heroic proportions?

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE ESTABLISHMENT Is the “establishment” in the play ruled by male and/or female? Are any of the characters shown to be the victim of the “establishment”? Are any of the characters in conflict with the “establishment” at work, at home or through affiliation to any particular group?

WOMEN AND POWER/THE ROLE OF WOMEN Does the text explore the role of women at home, at work or at play? Does the playwright allow the characters to develop in their own right or are they used simply to add to the development of the male characters? Are the viewpoints of women represented in the play? Do the female characters have control over their own lives in the play? Are the women represented in any positions of power in the play? Are any female characters crucial to the development of the play?

MEN AND POWER/THE ROLE OF MEN Does the text explore the role of men at home, at work or at play? Does the playwright allow the characters to develop in their own right or are they used simply to add to the development of the female characters? Are the viewpoints of men represented in the play? Do the male characters have control over their own lives in the play? Are the men represented in any positions of power in the play? Are any male characters crucial to the development of the play?

MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY How is marriage represented by the playwright? Is there evidence of domestic violence in marriages? How are children represented? Is there any evidence of oppression and/or suffering in a marriage?

USE OF LANGUAGE Does the playwright differentiate in his use of language for male and female characters? Does the playwright use specific language for the sexes to address each other which helps to define the role of each sex and their relationship? (e.g. “ma lassie”) Do the characters talk of the opposite sex using language which helps to define each sex/s attitude towards each other?

EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU COULD BE LOOKING FOR WHEN YOU READ THE TEXTS…  Loyal housewife  Young and full of dreams.  Stand up to/put up with violence.  Hard working.  Independent  Loving mothers.  Feminists.  Symbolic martyrs.  Women vs Women.  Men vs Men.  Women vs Men.  Mothers and Children.  Fathers and Children.  Relationship between state and individual  Domestic violence  The exploitation of women  The role of men in society  The role of women in society  The plight of old people in society  Gender issues such as gay relationships  Motherhood  Impact on audience  Controlling Matriarch  Men’s role within society.  Status.  Men’s role within the drama itself.  Motivation.  Source of comedy.  Reliance on women.  Violent/abusive.  Drunkards.  Cowards.  Any exceptions to the rule?  Independent  Comic Characters  Feminism  Role of the individual in society  Marriage  The family  The Extended family  The Symbolic family  Parenthood  Generation gaps  Dependence of the young on the older generation  Expectations, hopes, aspirations.