Sailmaker

by

Alan Spence

Themes, symbolism & ending.

SymbolismWhen an object represents an idea we call it a Symbol.Symbolism is something we take for granted in our everyday lives.Symbols are used in advertising, flags, logos and signs.

ExamplesFlags = National identity

Dove = Peace

Poppies = Those who died in WW1 and WW2

TaskHow many symbols can you think of which are used in today’s society?

Symbolism in ‘Sailmaker’

• The main symbol in ‘Sailmaker is Alec’s toy yacht. Copy & then annotate the diagram below to explain what the yacht symbolises

freedom

childhood

Father/son relationship

The ‘noble’ trade

Here are some suggestions – add your own.

The yacht

Alec’s loss is symbolised by the small boat:

•Davie means to but never fixes it (loss of the father he might have been had his mother lived & Davie kept his job).

•Billy paints it for Alex (Davie should be a more reliable father).

•It ends up being burned on the fire; a symbolic burning of the past and the loss of what might have been (Mother/ a more ‘normal’ family life).

•The yacht was taken out of “The Glory Hole” but put back away again (promises never kept).

Below are some other symbols used in ‘Sailmaker.’ Decide what each symbol represents in the play.

Symbol What it representsAlec’s comics

The battered torch

The old furniture

Davie’s sailmaking tools

The “glory hole”

‘Sailmaker’ ThemesIn Pairs•Discuss each (or the one that you have been allocated) theme in turn giving examples of how each one is illustrated in the play •Place them in order of importance

Decline of shipbuilding industry

Religious bigotry

Grief and loss

Poverty /Unemployment

Escape from reality dreams & ambitions

Growing up Father/son relationships

The dangers of gambling violence

Education

‘Sailmaker’ - Ending

The ending of ‘Sailmaker’ is full of pathos. Davie and Alec have no coal left so they are reduced to burning their own possessions to keep warm. Each item they burn has some symbolic significance. These include:

•The book ‘The British Working Man’•Alec’s hymnbook•Davie’s sailmaking tools•The furniture Davie bought when he got married•Alec’s old comics

The final item cast into the flames is Alec’s toy yacht, still with a broken sail, as Davie never did get around to fixing it. He says, ‘Always ment to . . . jist never did . . . story a ma life.’ Just before the yacht is destroyed it is finally complete as it has a ‘Sail of flames.’ This is a very poignant moment as it makes us think of all the yacht represents – broken promises, the family unit, Alec’s childhood, Davie’s trade.

However there is optimism in this image – the yacht does ‘sail’ and this could be seen as a symbol of rebirth – in the way that the phoenix rises from the ashes, the yacht has a moment of glory before it disappears.

The ending of ‘Sailmaker’ illustrates the damaged relationship between father and son as Alec talks of moving into a bedsit on his own. There seems little for Davie to look forward to except poverty and loneliness if he cannot change his life.

Is this a sad ending?

Is there a natural process here?

Children must finally leave home and make their own way.

Is there optimism at the end of Sailmaker?

Alec provides the optimism.

We can see a brighter future for Alec who will, as his father predicted, ‘Get out using his brains’ and have a happier and more successful life than Davie.

Furthermore despite the fact that his outlook is bleak, Davie, ever the optimist sees a glimmer of hope as he is soon to be re-housed.

(Extension: end of play activity: pp 86-87)

Music in Sailmaker• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgetd17XTO

Y (p9 Red Sails in the Sunset)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PszSocNLxY (P11 Last Train to San Fernando)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU_atFdI89I (P 13 Singing the Blues)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=594WLzzb3JI (P 47 My generation)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvtqGBPb96E (P 51,52 Where the Blue of the Night…)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hySwneOLEf0 (P55 honky Tonk Angels)

More music…

• The Sash My father Wore http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=CR6IL3fUvGU

• Give Me Oil in My Lamp• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuX0_ARG2BE

• Will Your Anchor Hold• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAJbdqyu-1E

• Clementine• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7UsSbbuo0Q