1. Exploring Techniques in Tally’s Blood

2. What to look for when answering questions: (Always try to use “Quote” + Comment + Effect
STAGE DIRECTIONS:
Can establish the mood/atmosphere of the characters and setting.
e.g. “Rosinella is seated, head in hands”
Stage Direction – suggests she is seeking comfort/attention/forgiveness from Massimo
“Massimo looking at her very coldly, no sympathy at all”
Stage Direction
suggests that Massimo is very angry with her and feels the situation
is all her own fault so will not offer her any comfort or forgiveness.

3. SENTENCE STRUCTURE:
Dashes can indicate a break in a comment … i.e. the speaker has been cut off/interrupted/stopped suddenly because they are confused or surprised.
Lots of questions – can reflect confusion
- or a demand for answers
Short comments – consider the tone … “Shut it. Sell it.”
is it a refusal to talk, uncertainty,
not wanting to talk about the topic.
a complete disregard for what the other person is
saying.
Repetition – to stress something. E.g. how they feel about something.
“I don’t care… I don’t care…”

4. WORD CHOICE (“Q”+C+E) Consider the connotations of words used and what this reflects about the speaker’s attitude to the topic being discussed. Eg. “Those Scotch girls, they’re all the same” “Those” acts to separate or distance a group…suggests they are not part of their own culture and therefore not really understood accepted or appreciated. “They’re all the same” suggests a stereotyping of the Scottish girls. Reflects that Rosinella does not like or approve of girls who are not Italian.

5. You will also have to SUMMARISE USING YOUR OWN WORDS
E.G. Re-read lines 27 – 32 Using your own words as far as possible, summarise why Rosinella thinks this new relationship is a bad idea. Use bullet points. 2 marks = 2 comments

6. Final Question = 8 marks
Questions will relate to the themes/ideas/characters in the play. e.g. This extract shows one moment in Rosinella and Massimo’s relationship. With close reference to this extract and elsewhere in the play, explain how their relationship is portrayed. Show how the theme of prejudice is developed in this extract and elsewhere in the play. By referring to this extract and to elsewhere in the play, show how the playwright explores family relationships.

7. By referring to this extract and to elsewhere in the play, show how the playwright explores romantic relationships.
This extract deals with racial stereotypes. With close reference to this extract and elsewhere in the play explain how the issue of racism is explored.

8. HOW TO ANSWER … CHOO
C – Commonality … what is it? Explain why it is significant in the story. 2 H – Home Passage … the extract you are given in the exam 2 O - Other … where is this common theme raised elsewhere in the play. 2 O – Other … and one more! 2

9. Rosinella’s comments from elsewhere about Italians (always positive) eg “makes you special, makes you more attractive”, etc Rosinella’s comments from elsewhere about Scots (usually negative) eg can’t look after their children properly, allow their girls to go out unsupervised, have looser moral standards, etc Rosinella’s racism towards Bridget when she is dating Franco Rosinella’s racism towards Hughie when he is in love with Lucia The treatment of Massimo by the public at the outbreak of war/when his shop is attacked The treatment of the Italian people who were taken during the war Lucia’s mimicry of the school teacher showing the racism she has suffered Rosinella’s refusal to let go of what happened to them during the war

10. Let’s start exploring Characters and evidence
ROSINELLA

11. Exploring Rosinella …
Rosinella is the central protagonist. The play shows her journey from being a prejudiced and selfish character to one who understands and accepts others.
She is FAMILY ORIENTATED:
Loving wife to Massimo
Caring guardian to their niece, Lucia
Puts her family’s needs before her own
=> Refer to Act 1 for evidence of these statements.

12. Rosinella is Traditional
Rosinella displays very traditional behaviour and opinions, particularly about men and women. (e.g. for most of Act one she does not move from the back of the shop!)
=> Refer to Act 1 for evidence of these statements.

13. Rosinella is patriotic
Rosinella is very proud of her Italian heritage => Refer to Act 1 for evidence of these statements.

14. Rosinella is prejudiced
As the play progresses, we witness her prejudiced attitudes towards Scottish people. She believes the women to be tarts and implies the men are lazy and neglect their families. => Refer to Act 1 for evidence of these statements.