CST – PASSING PLACES

SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND

RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS
SOCIAL BACKGROUND AND CONDITIONS
 Brian is out of work and Alex is in a dead end job
because of poverty in Motherwell;
‘Look at this place. Nothing but shoe shops and burger
bars…IT DOES MY HEAD IN!’

 Only the criminals, like Binks, make a living;

 Alex thinks education is a waste of time;

 The Kid represents a culture of materialism;

 The Youths represent a culture of casual violence,

needlessly violent in their attack on the shop;
SOCIAL BACKGROUND AND CONDITIONS
 Brian has no family to depend on – a brother
in the army, an alcoholic father and a dead
mother. Is this a typical home environment
for Scots?
 The effects of this are demonstrated when he

reminisces about his early years, and it seems

these memories incite him to kill himself;
 WEALTH
 Apart from Binks, Alex and Brian meet no-one
who has wealth;‘
Nobody round here worth mugging’

 The car represents the downside of material

possessions – unreliable, decaying and likely to
cost;

 Although Alex works, he is paid a pittance,

encouraged to continue mainly by fear of Binks;
 NATIONALISM
Tourism thrives on a distortion of the real Scotland. The reality,
which tourists don’t see, is decaying town centres, poverty and
the worst health record in the civilised world.

 Brian and Alex have an ambivalent attitude to their native land

– defensive of it;

but ashamed;

 They mock the ‘shortbread tin’ image;

 They are ignorant of their history – Iona sings in perfect Gaelic,

and yet Alex understands none of it;

 They are surprised by the diversity of culture within Scotland;

 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND THE
WORKPLACE
 The only employee in the play is Alex, and that
was only for 5 scenes. His relationship with his
boss was based on terror;

 Tom works for a company in America, from

the comfort of his home in Tongue. This
demonstrates Scotland’s technological
advancement, contrasting with the ‘heather
and bagpipes’ image, but also with the vast
poverty in the country.
 DEVICES USED TO COMMUNICATE
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MESSAGES
 Brian’s lectures on tourist information remind
the audience about the permanent
background of our country that is paralleled
with the changing Scots society.
 Alex’s problem with beauty is not untypical of

Scottish men. It isn’t a subject for ‘real men’.

 The evils of society are represented by

violence – Alex’s mugging, Binks’ ferocity,

destruction of the car. Even Alex contributes
– smashing the window and stealing the
surfboard.
 USING THE STATEMENTS PROVIDED…
 Identify and select appropriate quotes to back these
statements up.

 Use both to formulate a fully justified statement in relation

to the example question;

“Scottish plays focus on a negative image of Scots and/or

Scotland.” Do you agree with this view?
(2009)

 The MEG formula should be applied…

M – Make a point
E – Exemplify your point
G – Give a quote.
 FOR EXAMPLE…
MAKE A POINT:
A negative image of Scotland is portrayed through
the setting of Passing Places. It is set in Motherwell
where poverty is high.
EXEMPLIFY THE POINT:
We see this through the character of Kid, who is
more than aware of the lack of wealth in the area;
GIVE A QUOTE:
KID: ‘Nobody round here worth mugging’
NOW CONCLUDE by referring back to the question
This demonstrates the poverty in the area,
suggesting that employment is difficult, thus
portraying Scotland negatively.
CST – PASSING PLACES
USE OF HISTORY,
NOSTALGIA AND
POPULAR TRADITION
 HISTORICAL ACCURACY
 Stephen Greenhorn scatters little items of
information about the history (and
geography) of Scotland throughout the play.
They are never obtrusive but their accuracy
gives the play a solid basis for the
arguments…

 Can you find some examples of this?

 GROWTH AND DECLINE OF INDUSTRY
 Always in the background of the play are the
failures of Scotland’s industries – identify
moments which suggest this.

 Tourism is a growing industry at present but

ultimately it depends upon broadcasting a
false image of the country and the people - is
it doing harm not only to the physical
countryside but to the soul of the nation?
USE OF SCOTTISH MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE

 Iona’s song in Scene 35, is performed in a

language the Scots cannot understand, by a girl
born and educated abroad – what point is being
made here?

 The off-stage ballad in the same scene provides

the backing for Mirren and Alex’s dance – an
important stage in their relationship. Why is this
relevant?

 Brian recites Burns – how does Alex react to this?

 VARIETY, PERFORMANCE AND SONG
 Bink’s behaviour frequently recalls the techniques of
variety theatre – the theft of the ice lolly borders on
farce.

 Where else can you find moments of farce or variety?

SATIRE
 Binks is made a figure of ridicule, even though he
represents a genuine evil in society.

 Find examples of both in the text.

CELEBRATIONS, RITUAL, SOCIAL GATHERINGS

 The ceilidh, though off stage, creates the

mood that helps Alex to relax.

 It also provides a credible setting for the

songs.

 How important is traditional Scots

entertainment to our Highland culture and
why? How does this influence Alex and Brian,
who have never been exposed to this before?
 Use the questions noted throughout as a basis for
discussion then try to formulate relevant statements.

 Explain and justify your statements in relation to the

following question;

“Contemporary Scottish playwrights use popular tradition

techniques as an easy way of tapping into their audience’s
emotions.” Do you agree with this view?
(2012)

 AS ALWAYS - the MEG formula should be applied…

M – Make a point
E – Exemplify your point
G – Give a quote.
 FOR EXAMPLE…
MAKE A POINT:
Popular tradition techniques, such as the use of Scots music, is
used in Passing Places to show that the character of Alex is
unsure of his culture, and therefore identity.
EXEMPLIFY THE POINT:
We see this at the ceilidh when Iona sings to Alex in Gaelic.
GIVE A QUOTE:
‘Iona begins to sing, in perfect Gaelic, a lament – Alex listens in
astonishment.’
NOW CONCLUDE by referring back to the question
Music often stirs emotion in people, and on this occasion, would
encourage the audience to consider how they themselves identify
with Scots culture. They can question whether they feel that they
belong or do not belong in their culture and thus identify with the
overarching theme of the play; Scotland and the Scots. I think this
shows that popular tradition techniques are used to impact on
the audience emotionally.
CST – PASSING PLACES
ISSUES OF
GENDER
 RELATIONSHIPS
 Alex and Mirren take most of the play to
move from outright hostility to a hint of
friendship. There is, even at the end of the
play, nothing sexual in their relationship.

 Why has Alex found it so difficult to form a

relationship? Is it relevant that she is female?
 WOMEN AND POWER
 Remarkably, almost all of the ‘gurus’ are male
– Serge, Diesel, Tom and Frank. They have
the most life experience, they are most
secure in themselves, and are most confident
in guiding others.

 The only woman in the same category is Iona.

 What does this suggest?

 MEN AND MASCULINITY
 Alex begins the play with an archetypically
male-behaving badly outlook – work if he must,
drink when he can and never look to the future.

 Over the length of the play he becomes less

aggressive, more thoughtful and more sensitive.
He can now say the word ‘beautiful’.

 Consider the other male characters in the play

and how they represent masculinity. Are there
any differences? Why do you think this is?
 Use the questions noted throughout as a basis for
discussion then try to formulate relevant statements.

 Explain and justify your statements in relation to the

following question;

“Contemporary Scottish plays are full of sexual

stereotypes.” Discuss this statement.
(2007)

 AS ALWAYS - the MEG formula should be applied…

M – Make a point
E – Exemplify your point
G – Give a quote.
 FOR EXAMPLE…
MAKE A POINT:
Passing Places contributes to the view that contemporary
Scottish plays are full of sexual stereotypes via the
character of Binks.
EXEMPLIFY THE POINT:
Binks is an aggressive, violent character, who holds the
most power by causing fear in other characters.
GIVE A QUOTE:
‘…want your knee caps for castanets’
NOW CONCLUDE by referring back to the question
Scottish men are often portrayed as being violent,
aggressive and thus powerful/dominant. The character
Binks certainly demonstrates this and in turn, proves that
contemporary Scottish plays are full of sexual stereotypes.