Download CST Booklet - Dunoon Grammar School

Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
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?
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
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
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
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.





















SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS
Nationalism:
Does the text as a whole reflect a feeling of nationalism?
Are there particular characters with nationalistic attitudes and viewpoints?
Does the play contain any reference to set, props, or costumes which would help to communicate a
feeling of nationalism?
Industrial Relations:
Does the text explore the relationship(s) of different characters in the workplace?
Does the text feature a shop floor versus management scenario conflict?
Does the text point to national politics as a cause of conflict in industrial relations?
Use of Scots Language
Does the use of Scots language help to create a feeling of nationalism?
Does the use of Scots language and the choice of particular words and phrases help to make the social
and/or political and/or religious message more emotive?
Is the Scots language used for some characters and in some situation, and if so, what is the effect of
this?
Political Theatre as Entertainment
What devices has the playwright used to convey a political message or standpoint to make the play
more than a “theatrical party broadcast”?
Why do Scottish audiences seem to enjoy political theatre as entertainment?
Stereotyping
Are any or all of the characters stereotypes?
Are any or all of the characters used simply as a mouthpiece by the playwright to put over a political
viewpoint?
Are any of the characters used to exemplify the effect of government policy?
Distribution of Wealth
Does the play reflect the imbalance of wealth through the social situation of the main characters?
Does the imbalance of wealth provide a topic for dialogue in the play?
Does the play contain characters which simply exemplify both ends of the wealth scale?
Relationship between the Individual and the Establishment
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?
Social Background and Conditions:
Are there any prevailing social conditions revealed in the play? E.g. Diet, Housing, Environment,
Employment
How is the local community represented?
What is the social background if the characters and how does it affect them?
Are there any social changes happening?
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Examples of what you could be looking for when you read the texts:
Political Issues













Unemployment
Disintegration of
communities
Nationalism
Socialism
Feminism
War
The need for social
change
Social and political
protest
Environmental issues
Social exclusion
Issues of class
Industrial relations
Mob rule













Relationship between
state and individual
Political status
Representation
Slavery
Police and the law
Judicial system
Immigration/Emigration
Native culture
Distribution of Wealth
Authoritarianism
Role of the individual in
society
Institutionalised prejudice
Healthcare













Corruption
Civic authority
Colonialism
Devolution of Power
Use of Natural Resources
Nepotism / Cronyism
Economic Pressure
Industrial Relations
Status of vocation
Working Conditions
Education
Crime
Rights of the individual /
Human Rights
Parenthood
Generation gaps
Dependence of the young
on the older generation
Morality
Revenge
Effect of war (rationing /
refugees displacement /
interment)
Respect
Culture
Self-sacrifice
Language and dialect
Materialism
Work Ethic
Marriage
The family
Abortion
AIDS / Illness
Rebellion
Collective Guilt







Ambition
Justice
Betrayal
Vengeance
Intolerance
Sense of self
Representation of
men/women
Location.
Treatment of the Elderly.
Council decisions.
Sense of belonging
Community Spirit (or lack
of it)
Relationships
Influence of the
community
Working class
expectations.
Ghettoism/Living
conditions.
Social Issues















Difference in class
Social Convention
Social Expectations
Poverty
Prejudice
Deprivation
Unemployment
Housing or living
conditions
Working conditions
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


















Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean









STRUCTURAL DEVICES
Below is a list of Structural Devices a Playwright might use.
Monologue
Soliloquy
Plot
Pause
Discursive Dialogue
Reporting
Euphemism
Satire
Central Characters
Antagonist
Representational Characters
Empathy
Supporting Characters
Jigsaw
Thought Tracking
Open Ending
Flash-forward
Point of View
Conflict
Aside
Music
Flashback
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Dialogue
Narrative
Montage
Anecdote
Rhetoric
Symbolism
Metaphor
Irony
Protagonist
Hooks
Tension
Mystery
Suspense
Cliff-hanger
Twist
Letter
News Flash
Confrontation
Freeze Frame
Comedy
Song
SOCIAL ISSUES : 1st PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in the
play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
SOCIAL ISSUES: 2nd PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
SOCIAL ISSUES: 3rd PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
POLITICAL ISSUES : 1st PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
POLITICAL ISSUES : 2nd PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
POLITICAL ISSUES : 3RD PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
GENDER ISSUES : 1ST PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
GENDER ISSUES : 2ND PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
GENDER ISSUES : 3RD PLAY
Issue / how it is dealt with in
the play
What I understood about the issue
through studying/seeing the play
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Relevant Quotes
Any Structural Device used to
emphasise this?
Explain how two or more contemporary Scottish plays you have seen or read have helped you to
understand social issues.
Introduction (one paragraph)
 What are some social issues in CST? and How are they revealed?
 How can this help you understand these social issues?
 Plays you have studied
Paragraph 1
 Play 1 – and the issues in it
 Social Issue 1
 Quote 1
 What it helps you to understand
Paragraph 2
 Play 1 – Social Issue 2
 Quote 2
 What it helps you to understand
Paragraph 3
 Play 2 – and the issues in it
 Social Issue 1
 Quote 1
 What it helps you to understand
Paragraph 4
 Play 2 – Social Issue 2
 Quote 2
 What it helps you to understand
Paragraph 5
 Play 3 – and the issues in it
 Social Issue 1
 Quote 1
 What it helps you to understand
Paragraph 6
 Play 3 – Social Issue 2
 Quote 2
 What it helps you to understand
Conclusion (one paragraph)
 Summarise some of the social issues in CST?
 Summarise the ways they are they revealed?
 Summarise your understanding of these social issues?
 Possible relate to contemporary issues
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
Most Scottish playwrights reinforce gender stereotypes. Do you agree with this statement?
You should illustrate your answer with reference to at least two plays you have either seen or
read.
Write an essay plan and bring it to me before you attempt this question.
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
VOCABULARY
If you come across any words whilst studying this section of CST, please write them down and find the
meaning in a dictionary.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean
PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

Gender
How has Scottish drama told the stories of Scottish women’s lives? You should illustrate your
answer with reference to at least two plays you have either seen or read.

Are the men represented in Scottish drama ever more than two-dimensional figures and broadly
drawn stereotypes? Discuss with reference to at least two plays you have either seen or
studied.

Discuss the extent to which Scottish playwrights explore inequality between men and women.
You should illustrate your answer with reference to at least two plays you have either seen or
read.

In at least two plays you have seen or studied, discuss the extent to which women in
Scottish drama are portrayed as independent.

In two plays you have seen or studied, discuss whether or not young men display the same
characteristics as their male elders

Discuss the relationship between parents and children in contemporary Scottish plays. You
should illustrate your answer with reference to at least two plays you have either seen or read.

With reference to at least two plays you have seen or studied, describe and analyse the
portrayal of children in contemporary Scottish drama.

Are there any unconventional women in contemporary Scottish Drama? You should illustrate
your answer with reference to at least two plays you have seen or studied.

Analyse the portrayal of working class and/or middle class people in at least two or more
contemporary Scottish plays that you have seen or studied.

Describe and analyse the portrayal of domineering and/or submissive women in two or more
plays that you have seen or studied.

“Contemporary Scottish playwrights portray young women as being liberated. They seem to be
free of the burdens that were put on the older generation of women.”
Compare the men with the women in contemporary Scottish plays. Which of the sexes do you
consider to be more powerful? You should illustrate your answer with reference to two or more
plays that you have seen or read.
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean

Social, Political and Religious
Explain how Scottish playwrights use characters to convey social issues in their plays. You
must refer to at least three characters. You should illustrate your answer with reference to at
least two plays you have either seen or read.

How does Scottish theatre deal with ideas of nationalism and /or Scottish identity? Discuss with
reference to at least two plays you have either seen or read.

Many Scottish playwrights explore aspects of social inequality. Choose two or more plays which
you have seen or studied and discuss ways in which social inequalities are highlighted in each
play.

Discuss how political issues are explored in at least two plays you have studied.

Explain how two or more contemporary Scottish plays which you have either seen or read have
helped you to understand one or more than one political issues.

Explain how Scottish playwrights use characters to convey social issues in their plays. You must
refer to at least three characters. You should illustrate your answer with reference to at least two
plays you have either seen or read.

Identify and comment upon the social, political or religious divisions depicted in two or more
contemporary Scottish plays.

Analyse the portrayal of working class and/or middle class people in at least two or more
contemporary Scottish plays that you have seen or studied.

To what extent do contemporary Scottish playwrights write about contented people who lead
fulfilling lives? You must make reference to at least two or more contemporary Scottish plays
that you have seen or studied.

“Contemporary Scottish playwrights portray young women as being liberated. They seem to be
free of the burdens that were put on the older generation of women.”
Discuss this statement with reference to two or more plays you have seen or studied.

Discuss the extent to which Scottish playwrights depict Scotland as an intolerant country.
You should illustrate your answer with reference to two or more plays that you have seen or
read.

“Scottish playwrights portray Scotland as a nation of underprivileged people.”
Discuss this statement with reference to two or more plays you have seen or studied.
Grangemouth High School – Drama Department
M McLean