SailmakerAlan Spence

Overall Learning Intentions

• To understand, analyse and evaluate a Scottish text

• To understand how to answer National 5 Scottish Set Text questions successfully

• To strengthen understanding of character, theme, contrast and structure

Scottish Set Text Part of N5 exam

Designed to test your ability to understand, analyse and evaluate an extract taken from one of the Scottish set texts

This part of the exam is worth 20 marks

Questions 1 – 8 marks

45 minutes

You will be asked questions about the extract printed in the exam and about your wider knowledge of the text

“Sailmaker” by Alan Spence is a Scottish play.

• What do you expect to find in a play that you would not find in a poem or a novel?

• Stage directions• Interaction with/Impact on the audience• Music/Sounds• Lighting

“Sailmaker”Context

• “Sailmaker” is a play, written by Alan Spence, set in the 1960’s in Glasgow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5meSZU5U34

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byre7nF849I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1QAoG3qDk

• The setting of the play alternates between a Glasgow tenement flat (room and kitchen) and its surrounding streets and back courts

• The play largely follows the story of a father and son; Davie (father) and Alec (son). We are also introduced to Ian (Alec’s cousin) and Billy (Ian’s father, Davie’s younger brother).

Learning Intention

To develop understanding of key ideas in “Sailmaker”.

Act One 1. When and where is “Sailmaker” set? Why is this important?

2. Look at the first page of the play, what do you notice about the way Alec speaks to the audience?

3. How does the audience learn that time has moved on on Pg. 7?

4. “As long as ye keep movin…” Who do you think Davie is talking to?

5. “A’hm shattered” Davie’s words have possible two meanings. What do they mean?

6. “Make a great chib!” Pg. 15. What does it say about Ian’s character if he sees the marlinspike and immediately thinks of using it as a weapon?

7. “You’ve been drinkin…” Pg. 16. We’ve just seen Alec playing and using his imagination, now he has to suddenly deal with his dad’s drinking problem. How does this make you feel about the character(s) at this point?

8. Look at pages 16-21, what signs can we see that Davie isn’t really coping? What other risks is he taking?

9. Look at Davie’s long speech on Pg.28. Was the attack random or planned? How do you know?

10. At the end of Act One, Alec shoves the yacht in the Glory Hole. Why is this important? What does it tell us about his relationship with his father?

Re-Cap – Act One

Write a few sentences for each heading describing the most important parts of Act One.

Character – Who?

Plot – What happens?

Setting – Where and when?

Theme – What do we learn/are we made to think about? Recurring ideas throughout the play.

Analysis and Evaluation - Page 33 - 43

1. What reason does Davie give for leaving the Boys’ Brigade? (Pg. 34)

2. What does this reveal about Davie’s attitude to life? What else does he give up? (Pg. 39)

3. What advice does Davie give Alec, regarding his future? (Pg. 34)

4. Why do you think Alec has decided to go to the Mission, rather than socialise with friends? (Pg. 36)

5. a) Alec makes fun of Davie’s stories about the past. Why do you think this irritates Davie? (Pg. 39) b) What do you think this reveals about their relationship at this stage of the play?

6. How does Davie react when he discovers Alec passed his examination? (Pg. 42)

7. Alec’s life is changing – soon he will be attending a private school. Do you think that this will bring them closer together or will they drift further apart? Give a reason for your answer.

Learning Intention

To understand and analyse Act Two of “Sailmaker”.

Group Discussion

To pass the Creation and Production unit at National 5, you have to demonstrate your talking skills in at least one spoken interaction.

What do you believe makes a team work effectively?

Group Discussion Rules• Listen to others – sometimes questions have more then one possible answer

• Make eye contact

• Open body language

• Take turns to talk

• Everyone taking notes

• Everyone on task

• Give the fullest possible answer for each question

• One person in the group should be ready to explain your answers to the rest of the class

“Sailmaker” Act TwoGroup Discussion Pg. 51 - 56

1. a) How do the stage directions in this part of the play help us understand that Alec is upset with his father?

b) Write down two examples.

2. What two things suggest that Davie is an intelligent man? (Pg 51 & 53)

3. “Did you gamble wi’ that bursary money?...” (pg. 53 – 54) How does the audience feel at this point in the play?

4. Alex is clearly angry with his father but can you sympathise with Davie? Why/Why not?

5. Describe what life is like for Alec and Davie at this point of the play? Think about their relationship, living conditions etc.

6. What makes Davie so angry that he slaps his own son?

7. Look at the last lines Alex speaks. Now, go back and read pg. 47 of the play. What do you notice?

Act Two Questions1. Read Pages 43 – 44, which details on these pages show us that Davie is short for money?

2. “Somethin’ ah’ve lost…” What do you think Alec has lost? (pg. 47)

3. Read pages 48 and 49 again. List all the ways that Davie and Alec are different to Billy and Ian.

4. “My auld hymnbook…” Alec is prepared to destroy his old hymnbook, what does this show about his religious beliefs? (pg. 57)

5. a) What other talent of Davie’s do we find out about on page 61?

b) If he had used this skill, how would his life be different?

6. Think about the play as a whole, how do you think Alan Spence wants you/the audience to feel at the end?

Comparing Two Versions

• A few years before Spence wrote “Sailmaker”, he wrote a short story called “Blue.”

• Re-read the first two pages of the play

• Re-read the extract from “Blue” on Pg. 78 – 79

• Now, answer the questions on Pg. 80

• You may work with a partner if you wish – have one book open at the short story and questions, and the other at the part of the play

Learning Intention

To analyse the themes in Act One of “Sailmaker”.

Understanding Theme

• All pieces of writing contain a message (a theme).

• A theme is something the writer wants you to learn/think about.

Key Themes in Act OneWrite a few lines about each of the following themes. Think about what happens in the first act and which character(s) helps us to understand these themes more clearly.

Also, find and write down at least two quotations for each heading.

• Grief/Bereavement

• Family Life

• Unemployment

• Poverty

• Religion

Learning Intention

To analyse and evaluate Act Two.

The Music in the Play

As you will have noticed music plays a large part in “Sailmaker”.

Think about and discuss:• Why do you think Alan Spence mentions certain songs and music so often

throughout the play?

• What way(s) can music make you feel? How do songs do this?

• Can you think of any songs/bands that have or had a big impact on you? How do these songs make you feel?

The Music in the PlayRed Sails in the Sunset – Fats Dominohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgetd17XTOY

The Last Train to San Fernando – Johnny Duncan and the Bluegrass Boyshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg8DhjQOtzM

My Generation – The Whohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=594WLzzb3JI

Give Me Oil in My Lamp – this last song is very different as it is a hymnhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llvhZUCB0Jg

Learning Intention

To analyse and evaluate the end of Act Two.

Act Two – Davie’s Life• Turn to Pg. 85-86 of “Sailmaker”.

• On Pg. 59 – 60, Davie and Alec find a book called Peoples of the World and read a chapter called The British Working Man.

• Although the book sounds factual, as the two characters read it, we see that not much in it actually matched Davie’s experience of life.

• On the left hand side of these pages you will see quotations from the book they read. Copy them into your jotter. Next to them, write in details of the same aspect of Davie’s life.

• Once you have done this, think about the play as a whole and how Davie ends up.

The End of the PlayAt the end of the play, we realise Davie and Alec’s situation is so desperate that they are burning furniture and possessions just to keep warm. The end of the play is only the start of more changes for them.

Re-read Pg. 61 – 62• Lots of things that matter to Davie come to an end on this page. We can also see on

this page that he realises - and accepts - some important parts of his life have ended.

Write a few sentences explaining how we see the end of:• Davie’s Family Life• Davie’s Career• Davie’s Home• Davie’s Marriage

Re-read Pg. 63 - 641. We find out that Davie never did mend the yacht for Alec. What does this tell us about Davie?

2. What do you think that the burning of the yacht stands for or symbolises?

3. Now think about the way the play ends, keeping the whole play in mind. (i)Do you think the ending is sad or happy? Why?

(ii)Do you think the ending is optimistic or pessimistic? Why?

4. Think about the four characters in the play. For each one, write a short paragraph explaining what you think might happen to them in the next ten years after the play ends. (You should have more to say about Alec and Davie because they are more important characters.)

Learning Intentions

To analyse and evaluate the structure of “Sailmaker”.

To explore the characters within “Sailmaker”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01mjhg1

Structure

Introduction Exposition Climax

Turning Point Resolution/Conclusion

1. Exposition – In this section, the main characters and the basic situation of the play are introduced to us.

2. Turning Point – Something very important happens to change the way the play is going, or the main character comes to an important decision or realisation.

3. Climax – At this point, the action and emotions of the play come to a head. This is the most exciting or dramatic point of the play. It is usually near, but not at, the end.

4. Resolution – This follows on from the climax. Events and emotions are finally dealt with and the play is finished off.

• With your partner, decide what you think the exposition, turning point, climax and resolution of “Sailmaker” are.

• Be prepared to share your answers with the rest of the class to make sure we all agree.

• Then, write two or three sentences to explain what happens in each of these four sections.

CharacterNow you have re-read the play, you will have a strong understanding of each of the characters.

• In groups, you will create one grid for an assigned character.

• You must include:• What happens to this character in the play• How he changes during the play• Reasons to like or admire this character• Reasons to dislike or challenge this character• At least one quotation in each section

• Fill in as many details as you can in each section.

• Each group will then share their findings with the rest of the class.

• Give one, get four!

Effective Group Work

What does working as a team look like?

What does working as a team sound like?

Group Task - Success Criteria

• To work as part of a team

• To listen to and to respect other people’s opinions

• To create a poster on an assigned character to present to the rest of the class

• To use examples and evidence from “Sailmaker” in your poster

GROUP TASK• Create a grid for your assigned character.

• You must include:• What happens to this character in the play• How he changes during the play• Reasons to like or admire this character• Reasons to dislike or challenge this character• At least one quotation in each section

• Fill in as many details as you can in each section.

• Each group will then share their findings with the rest of the class.

•Give one, get four!

Learning Intention

To analyse the themes in “Sailmaker”

To understand why Spence uses contrast in “Sailmaker.”

Theme• A theme is something the writer wants you to learn or think about as

you read a text.

• Themes are big ideas.

• You can usually say a theme in just one or two words – love, hate, war

Themes http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01mjhg1

Social Classeshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1QAoG3qDk

Sectarianismhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5-TfAu-FB4http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqyLjAlMQj0

The key Themes in “Sailmaker”

• Grief and Loss

• Religion

• Family Life

• Poverty

• Violence

• Dreams and Ambitions

• Social Class Differences

• Sectarianism

GROUP TASK

• Create a mind-map/poster about your assigned theme

• You must include:• What happens in the play to explore this theme• What characters help us to understand this theme• Examples and details from the play• Quotations

• Give as much detail as you can

• Each group will then share their mind-map/poster with the rest of the class

• Give One, Get Eight!!

Group EvaluationHow well did you perform as a team?• Rate yourselves 0-5

• Discuss one thing you all did well and one thing you think you could have done better as a group

• Each team member must participate as they may be the one asked to feedback your review to the rest of the class

Contrasts in “Sailmaker”• Spence often uses contrasts in the play.

• That means, he puts two things side by side to let us see how they are different.

• This allows him to explore his ideas and themes.

• Turn to Pg. 93 of your play and complete questions 3 – 8. (1 and 2 have been done for you, look at their answer for guidance.)

Learning Intention

To develop understanding of how to answer N5 Scottish Set text questions successfully.

Reminder - Scottish Set Text Part of N5 exam

Designed to test your ability to understand, analyse and evaluate an extract taken from one of the Scottish set texts

This part of the exam is worth 20 marks

Questions 1 – 8 marks

45 minutes

You will be asked questions about the extract printed in the exam and about your wider knowledge of the text

National 5Scottish Set Text

• Critical Reading Paper

• Part One – Scottish Set Text

• Extract from “Sailmaker”

• First few questions will be about the extract itself

• Last question – 8 marks – you have to put the extract into context

How to Summarise1. Summarise the key points of this exchange between Alec and Davie. Make at least 4 key points. (4)

4 marks = 4 points

What is a Summary?A summary is short version - giving only the main points - of

something that has been said or written.

Quote and Explain2 Marks

Point

Evidence

Explain

The 8 Mark QuestionSuccess Criteria:

• 1 mark if pupils make a comment that linked with the passage in front of them.

• 2 marks each for a decent/relevant P.E.E paragraph to do with

education - 6 marks in total. Make THREE points.(Must be from pupils’ knowledge of the rest of the passage/play)

• 1 final mark for a good summary of why education is an important theme.

Think-Pair-ShareTASK: With a partner, think about, discuss and make notes on the following questions (use at least one quotation in each answer):

• Character – Who is the play about? What is their relationship? Why are these characters important to the play as a whole?

• Setting – When and where is the play set? Why is this important? What does it help us to understand/think about?

• Themes – What do you think the purpose of “Sailmaker” is? Why do you think Spence created this play? What does he wants the audience to think about/understand? What ideas reoccur throughout the play?

• Be prepared to share your thoughts with the rest of the class.

“Sailmaker” RevisionLearning Intention:

To revisit the Scottish Set Text part of the National 5 course.

Plot SummaryThe play follows the lives of two main characters through approximately ten years of their lives. At the beginning of the drama we see the initial impact of the loss of Davie’s wife and Alec’s mother. Davie subsequently struggles to provide for his academically gifted son. A model ship becomes an important symbol in the play when Davie promises his son he will make sails for it. Despite promises to the contrary, he never does. As an implicit means of dealing with his mother’s death Alec joins a number of religious organisations but they fail to fill the hole in his life. Eventually, learning seems to do this and Alec’s rise as a student seems to correspond with Davie’s decline as he loses his job largely through his own errors of judgement. At the end of the play Alec and Davie are in a state of poverty and they break up possessions in order to burn them to keep warm. The boat is symbolically and pathetically burned along with a number of other articles, and we are left with an ambiguous impression of completion, dissatisfaction, loss, acceptance and forgiveness.

National 5Scottish Set Text

• Critical Reading Paper

• Part One – Scottish Set Text

• Extract from “Sailmaker”

• First few questions will be about the extract itself

• Last question – 8 marks – you have to put the extract into context

The 8 Mark QuestionSuccess Criteria:

• 1 mark if pupils make a comment that linked with the passage in front of them.

• 2 marks each for a decent/relevant P.E.E paragraph to do with

education - 6 marks in total. Make THREE points.(Must be from YOUR knowledge of the rest of the play)

• 1 final mark for a good summary of the theme/character/symbol

Over To You…• Carefully look at the exemplar papers.

•With a partner, decide which question paper would be given the most marks and why.

HOME LEARNING• Thursday 19th December

• Re-read play

• Revise notes on “Sailmaker” and how to answer the set text questions for timed assessment

• Create one A4 page of notes, (HINT!!! Symbolism!!!) you will not be allowed your jotter or text.