sailmaker
... so instead he copes by putting on a brave face. His light-hearted way of life means that he fails to take things seriously. Davie is a dreamer, who finds it hard to pursue his dreams. He does not take control of his life, and waits to “see what happens”. He has a tendency to break promises. Alec confesses “You were always gonnae fix it up for me. Ah always imagined it.” In this case Davie promised to mend the yacht Alec found in the glory hole, but it never did happen. The symbol of the yacht represents Davies proud past. Davie has a love-hate relationship with his son. Gradually through the play Davie and Alec grow further apart. For instance, Alec becomes more critical toward his fathers cooking and an argument develops. The argument is brought to a halt when the electricity cuts of, due to Davie not being able to afford the bill. “Electricity got cut off son. Couldnae pay the bill.” The death of his wife is never far from his thoughts. “Sometimes for a minute you can nearly forget about it.” He put on a brave face, forgot about the past, and focused on the future. Davies pride suffered another blow when he lost his job. “It chucked me! The chandlers ah worked for shut it doon. Ah got laid off. That was it. Nothin else doin. Nae work. Naebody needs sailmakers these days.” After being sacked from is job Davie turned to alcohol. “It just helps me to unwind.” I think this is a feeble excuse, when really he can’t cope or confront life. Davie digs himself into a deeper whole because of betting, and ends up in thousands of pounds in debt. Davies relationship with his son is far from a normal father, son relationship, and infact it is quite the opposite. Alec adopts the role of a father, and Davie the role of the son. Alec is a worrier unlike his father. Alec worries about the future in a more mature and practical approach than his father does. He asks his father what they’ll do for money. Davie replies - “Not to worry. Never died a winter yet.” In a sense, Alec is the man of the house and does all he can to help and support his father. Alec is impatient towards his father. Alec was trying to do his homework assignment and was finding it extremely difficult. When his dad asked why he was so frustrated, his father was hit the reply “don’t annoy me!” I can understand why Alec has a bad attitude towards his father as he has lack of interest in his son’s life, and is never there when his son needs him the most. As the years passed Alec and Davie grow further and further apart. Alec appreciates this distance because it gives him a sense of independence. Throughout the play we learn that Davie gains more respect for his son and starts to ask questions related to his love life. “Can you no talk tae me these days? Can ye no tell me anything? Think I came fae another planet?” And with this Alec replies a truthful and honest answer, unlike the previous confrontation, when Alec refused to respond. Ian and Billy are another two characters in the play who help contribut...