The Context of "Tally's Blood" - Drama Study Session

Drama

Today

 we will be learning about:



The features of a drama text



The

 meta-language of drama



The context of the play ‘Tally’s Blood’

And we will be able to:



Define dramatic terminology



Create and follow a stage direction



Write a brief summary of the context of ‘Tally’s Blood’

Group Task

In your pairs list everything you know about drama!

What makes

drama

different from

prose?

Why do people

read plays?

4 Minutes!

setting

props

characters

Stage

directions

Lighting

Sound

effects

openings

Costume

Monologue

Dialogue

Actors

Director

DRAMA

Stage Directions

Stage Directions tell an actor 

what to do 

or even 

how

to say a line. 

They are written inside brackets ( ).

Be a Director!

Stage directions play a crucial role in analysing

the characters and plot of a play.

ANNA: (

) 

Come over here and have

   a seat

HAPPILY

ENTHUSIASTICALLY

SLOWLY

ANGRILY

LOVINGLY

Look at the different covers for the play ‘Tally’s Blood’.

Discuss what you think the play will be about with your partner and write

your predictions onto a post it note.

Tally’s Blood

Tally’s Blood, Ann Marie Di Mambro

The Context

ITALIAN

IMMIGRATION

Tally’s Blood, Ann Marie Di Mambro

The Context



Home to Italian immigrants since 1890s



 People fled famine and poverty



 Made a living from the Scottish sweet tooth with ice cream carts and cafes



 They later introduced fish and chips and ran restaurants and pizzerias



 During WWII the Italian community faced internment and deportation

  following Mussolini’s decision to join forces with Hitler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfondNLKI9M

‘Tally’s Blood’ – The Title

‘

Tally’s Blood"

The unpleasant nickname Scots gave the

raspberry sauce that Italian ice-cream-

makers put on their produce

.

Why choose this title?

Reference to the suffering of the Scots-Italian

community during the second world war.

Tally’s Blood, Ann Marie Di Mambro

The Characters

Massimo

Pedreschi

Rosinella

Pedreschi

Luigi Ianelli

Lucia Ianelli

Franco

Pedreschi

Bridget Devlin

Hughie Devlin

Married

Sister-

in-law

Daughter

Siblings

Brothers

?

?

Lucia

Loo-

chee

-a

Luigi

Loo-

eej-

ay

Pedreschi

Paid-

rays

-key

Ianelli

Yan-

ell

-ee

Note Taking – For Each Scene

Plot

Characters &

Relationships

Themes & Issues

What action takes place and how

does the storyline develop?

How are the characters developed and what do

we learn about the relationships between

them?

What is the overarching theme of the scene and

what is the writer trying to convey?

Anything Else!

We want to be as familiar as

possible with this text!

Themes

Prejudice

Family

War



Where is the scene set?



What happens in this scene?



Do you notice anything unusual about this

scene?

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene One

Note Taking – Act One Scene One

Plot

Characters &

Relationships

Themes & Issues

Italy, 1936

Lucia being handed to Rosinella

Luigi is grieving

Massimo is protective of Rosinella

Family

Anything Else!

Costume – Black arm band

Sound – Mourning Bell



Where is the scene set?



What happens in this scene?



How would you describe Lucia?  Why?



How does Rosinella react to the news that Lucia may

return to Italy?  Why?



What does Rosinella think of Scottish people?  Why?

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Two

Plot:



Lucia is spoiled



Rosinella will make personal sacrifices for her



Franco is itching to get away from his father and wants Massimo to

help deceive him

Characters and Relationships:



Massimo & Rosinella – deep affection



Great love for Lucia



Lucia – stubborn, petulant, manipulative



Massimo’s father is demanding, Rosinella obliges



Franco jealous of Massimo’s new shop

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Two

Themes & Issues:

Racial prejudice

Rosinella’s disapproval of Franco & Bridget

Rosinella’s belief that Scottish women make poor mothers, are only

interested in a man’s money and have looser morals than Italian women

Family

      Bridget’s  father exercises control and Bridget doesn't want Franco to

       leave his father’s shop for her

War

         Growing awareness of the possibility of war

         Franco doesn’t share Massimo’s dread

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Two

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Three

Plot

Bridget and Franco are in the early stages of a relationship

Characters & Relationships

Franco & Bridget together

Hughie – uninterested in love

Themes & Issues:

Prejudice

We see the beginnings of a Scottish/Italian relationship – the antithesis to the

Rosinella’s prejudice

Family

 Bridget keen to get a break from her family

War

Foreshadowing of war ‘There’s going to be a war’ p.22



What do we learn about the communication

style of the family?



Following the foreshadowing of war in the

previous scene, how is this developed?

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Four

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Four

Plot

Lucia refuses to speak English, the family try to make her and the result is a

volatile argument

Characters & Relationships

Lucia – more petulant than we initially thought; ‘(

screams) 

fuck off!’

Rosinella & Massimo – argue over what is best for Lucia frequently

Themes & Issues:

Prejudice

‘It’s no even our country’ (p.29)

Family

 Volatile (slapping one another!)

‘You’re getting to love her too much’ (p.29)

War

Foreshadowing of war and the heartache this could bring ‘ if we go to war,

she might be better off over there’ (p. 29)

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Five

Plot

Massimo offers Hughie a job in the store to encourage Lucia to speak English

Franco asks Massimo to cover for him with their dad so that he can see Bridget

Lucia and Hughie catch Franco and Bridget together

Characters & Relationships

B&F– very much in love and trying to hide it from their families

L&H– begin a friendship based on humour and fun

Themes & Issues:

Family

 Franco and Massimo lie to their Father

War

Beginning to seem more and more likely that war will happen ‘What are you

thinking about all this talk?’ (p. 32)

Suggestion that people want a war, maybe even Franco; ‘We cannie let that

wee German bastard throw his weight around.’

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Six

Plot

Adam Devlin dies, Lucia supports Hughie through this

Characters & Relationships

L&H– friendship solidifies with Hughie’s fathers death and they cry together

Themes & Issues:

Family

Death of a father

Hughie stepping into ‘father’ role; ‘I’ve got to be the big brave man’ (p.41)

Anything Else

Use of silence

TASK

In your group create a poster which outlines your first

impressions (with supporting quotes and page

references) for your assigned character(s).  Leave room

on the poster for us to add to the character profile as

the play unfolds.



Where is the scene set?



What happens in this scene?



How does Di Mambro develop the theme of

prejudice in this scene?

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Seven

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Seven

CRISIS

Rosinella

Pedreschi

Massimo

Pedreschi

Juxtaposition

Two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

?

?

Plot

War is declared (on radio)

Characters returning from Adam Devlin’s funeral

Massimo concerned with war, Rosinella concerned with Bridget and Franco

Characters & Relationships

Rosinella

Dismayed by the love of Franco & Bridget

Seems unconcerned with the war, but is aware it will pose problems

We see her devotion for Lucia

Themes

Prejudice

Rosinella ‘It’s not our country’, p45

War

‘We’re at war’ ,

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Seven

TASK

Select a new character poster to work on with your

group.  Add as much information as you can and

remember to include evidence and a page reference.

Tally’s Blood

Select a

member of

your group

to

represent

your

character in

the hot set.

Prepare 4

questions

for the

other

characters.

Plot

Franco signs up to fight in the war  for Britain

Massimo begs him to undo this as he is ‘Italian’

Franco explains he did it to get out of his father’s shop  and storms out in a rage at

Massimo’s protests

Characters & Relationships

Franco

Determined to leave, very much considers himself to be British

Massimo

Angry at Franco and very much considers himself Italian

Themes

Family & War

Franco signs up to escape the clutches of his father; ‘To get out of that shop’, P.47

War is causing conflict within the family; ‘No to get my fucking brains blown out in a

fucking war that’s got nothing to do with me’ P.48

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Eight

Plot

Franco and Bridget are secure in their relationship and discuss Franco going to war, he

reassures her that; ‘Nothing’s going to happen to me, Bridget. I promise.’, p.49

Characters & Relationships

Franco& Bridget

Very much in love

Themes

Family

We get an insight into how Mrs/ Devlin is coping with the death of her husband; ‘my

mammy still makes up may da’s piece. Every single morning.’ p/50

War

We begin to see the distress war can cause to families/relationships

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Nine

TASK

In your groups choose either scene nine or ten to

‘block’ and perform.  You should consider stage

positioning, directions and delivery and be prepared to

share with the class.

Plot

Franco leaves to fight in the war in an emotional good bye scene

Characters & Relationships

We see the strong brotherly affection between Franco and Massimo which has survived their dispute over

Franco’s choice to enlist  ‘

they hold each other in a strong embrace’, p.52

Themes

Family

Despite speaking negatively about his father, his father has provided for him;

‘Aye, my faither’s seen me alright.’, p.51

War

Reality of war and it’s direct impact on family is seen

Children exposed to violence (‘You should watch what you say in front of the wean. P. 53

Prejudice

Massimo begins to consider the implications of Italy coming into the war., Rosinella cannot see this

Anything Else

Cross fade to show contrast between adult /child response to  war

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Ten

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Eleven – Textual Analysis

1.

In your own words, explain how di Mambro shows Bridget’s anxiety

and worry. You should make at least 4 points.

          4

2.

Looking at the stage directions, explain how di Mambro shows Rosinella’s

contempt for Bridget.  You need to explain how the stage directions work.       

2

3.

In your own words, summarise Rosinella’s argument to Bridget as to

why she should forget Franco.                                                                           

4

4.

With close reference to the text explain Rosinella’s feelings about:

(a)

Family

(b)

Her nationality

4

5.

Rosinella’s ideas about nationality are an important theme in the play.

 With reference to the rest of the play, explain how nationalism is explored.    

6

‘Tally’s Blood’

 Textual Analysis – Marking Scheme

1. Any four from the following:

Repetition of ‘please’ / Her defence of Franco / Her being ‘almost in tears’ / Her repetition of the fact they

loved each other / The fact she says ‘it’s important’ / She says she ‘needs him’

2. Any two from the following:

Her initial reaction being ‘not very pleased to see her’ – Rosinella dislikes Bridget because she reminds her of

Franco and what he has done.

She ‘scoffs’

– indicates a lack of concern about Bridget’s worries.

She looks

‘at Bridget directly’ – she is accusing Bridget of being the cause of Franco acting ‘out of character’.

She

eyes

‘her up and down’ – suggests contempt.

The final stage direction saying she ‘freezes Bridget out’ – sums up her total disregard for Bridget and

whatever concerns she has.

3. Any four from the following:

 He is Italian so he will only marry an Italian girl / He was only having a bit of fun / He would never get what

he wanted from an Italian girl / Girls like Bridget get what they deserve / He would only love the girl he

married / He never asked Bridget to marry him.

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Eleven – Textual Analysis

4a)

Family

Italians are close as a family and only marry Italians.

She has worried about Franco because he is family.

Franco belongs at home with his family.

4b) Nationality

Franco, as an Italian, should never have gone to fight in a war that had nothing to do with him.

Italian men only play around with girls outside their own culture as they will get what they want from them.

Italians marry Italians.

Italian girls are more strictly brought up than Scottish girls.

5. Answers should cover the idea of :

War

Rosinella’s growing nationalism and bitterness.

List as many possible endings to the

following sentence as you can.

Act one, scene twelve is crucial to the

play because...







TASK

Act one, scene twelve is crucial to the

play because...



 It shows how quickly the Pedreschi’s neighbours have turned

on them



 It shows that Rosinella’s assertions that the war would not

affect them were greatly mistaken



 It develops the themes of prejudice by showing it in reverse

(Prejudice towards Italians)



Bridget trusts Massimo



Shop gets wrecked which jeopardises Pedreschi’s future



Mood becomes darker and more violent



Massimo shows that he is protective of Rosinella and Lucia



Rise in suspicion of Bridget being pregnant because she asks

for money/’if only my mum knew’



Hughie and Lucia work together and this may lead to a

stronger bond

Create a monologue for any character in Tally’s Blood.

Stanislavsky’s Questions



Who am I?



What time is it?



Where am I?



What surrounds me?



What are my circumstances?



What are my relationships?



What are my objectives?



What is the obstacle?



What is my actions?

YOUR MONOLOGUE SHOULD SOUND AS AUTHENTIC AS POSSIBLE

Task

1.

Read Massimo’s monologue

(Act 1 Scene 13, pp.76-78)

2. Begin to plan your own monologue by

answering  Stanislavsky’s 7 questions.

Homework

•

Get into groups.

•

Your teacher will assign a scene to

your group.

•

As a group, write a set of fully

comprehensive notes for the scene

you have been given.

•

Each group will present their notes to

the rest of the class

TASK

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Thirteen

Plot

•

Lucia and Hughie are playing a game – pretending to be teacher and she is

making fun of Hughie because he can’t do multiplication

•

We find out a Navy ship has been torpedoed and Massimo may have been

on it

Characters & Relationships

•

Lucia and Hughie grow closer together

•

Rosinella, Hughie and Lucia fear for Massimo

Themes & Issues:

War

British ships were torpedoed

Prejudice

Lucia describes prejudice against Italians

Anything Else

We learn that Rosinella cannot read

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Fourteen

Plot

•

Massimo is taken away to a camp in Edinburgh

•

Massimo is worried about his father because he hadn’t joined the camp of Italians

•

Massimo’s dad was selected and was taken away somewhere

•

A couple of days later, the rest of the camp were taken to Liverpool

•

Massimo had no idea where he was going or what happened to his father

Characters & Relationships

•

Massimo cares about his father “and I kept looking for my faither asking everyone if

they’d had word about my faither” pg. 78

Themes & Issues:

•

Prejudice

•

“They turned an old mill into a camp and were filling it with Italians from all over the

place”

•

Family

•

Due to the war, families have been separated. They all worry about each other because

of this

•

War

•

Makes it difficult to know whether people are alive or not which can be upsetting and

hard to deal with

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Fifteen

Plot

•

Hughie and Lucia want to become 

Blood Brothers

•

They are supposed to prick their thumbs and mix blood but Lucia backs

out

•

They mix their spit in the ginger instead

•

Discuss how Massimo may not return home

Characters & Relationships

•

Hughie and Lucia are so close they want to become family

Themes & Issues:

•

Family

•

Hughie and Lucia want to become 

Blood Brothers

•

War

•

Franco hasn’t returned from the war yet and Bridget and Rosinella won’t

stop crying

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Sixteen

Plot

Characters & Relationships

Themes & Issues:

Anything Else

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Seventeen

Plot

Characters & Relationships

Themes & Issues:

Anything Else

1.

Identify 6 key events in Act 1

2.

Write each event onto a post it

3.

On the back of each one write 3 questions

about that event

Act One – Key Events

End of Act One

Act One – Key Events

Write a detailed summary of Act 1 which

explains:

The key events

Character development

Theme development

Your summary could also refer to:

Devices used by Di Mambro (e.g. Situational Irony)

Act 1 Summary

Starter Task – Get Started!

Discuss Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2 with your group

Note down what develops in these scenes in

terms of :

Plot, characters, relationships and themes

Prepare to explain your analysis to the class

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act Two, Scene One

Plot

Massimo and Luigi discussing what happened during the war and the death

of their father

Characters & Relationships

Massimo is sympathetic towards Luigi

Themes & Issues:

The reality of war

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act Two, Scene Two

Plot

Lucia and Hughie are in close relationship

Rosinella is prejudice and determined that Lucia should be with an Italian boy

Hughie asks Lucia to go to a family wedding, Rosinella refuses

Characters & Relationships

Rosinella – more prejudiced, overprotective, controlling, tries to buy her love

Lucia – Still using the crying technique and it’s still working!

Massimo asks Rosinella to come to Italy with him

Rosinella refuses as she won’t leave Lucia , Lucia want to go and meet her

father  (‘I wish I was back in Italy’

Each table has a post it with a scene on it

Discuss this scene with your group and prepare

A short presentation which details the:

Plot, characterisation and theme development

Be prepared to explain these scenes to the class

(everyone in your group should have a role)

Group Task

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act Two, Scene Three

Plot

Hughie and Bridget discuss wedding

Hughie gives Bridget money

Bridget is amused and mocks Rosinealla

Hughie want to invite Lucia – Bridget advises against it as Rosinella won’t let

her go

Characters & Relationships

Bridget’s darker side – mocking Rosinella

Hughie defensive about the Pedreshci’s

Bridget protective of Hughie

Themes & Issues:

Family: Bridget protecting Hughie

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act Two, Scene Five

Plot

Hughie gives Lucia a letter (love) and Rosinella is angry that Hughie is talking

to Lucia (prejudice)

Characters & Relationships

Lucia and Hughie are closer

Lucia doesn't realise how much Hughie lives her

Rosinella feels she has authority but begins to realise she might lose her

power

Themes & Issues

Lucia lies to Rosinella about Hughie’s letter

Rosinella trying to control Lucia – can't cope with a mature Lucia

Love & prejudice

Family – reunion and Rosinella panicking about family break

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act Two, Scene Six

Plot

Hughie and Lucia talking and drinking ginger

Hughie won't talk about the letter

Ask Hughie to write to her in Italy

Lucia tells Hughie she is going to Italy

Characters & Relationships

Hughie embarrassed, Lucia intrigued

Rosinella looking for Lucia constantly

Lucia and Hughie closer

Themes & Issues:

Romance between Hughie and Lucia

Friendship

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act Two, Scene Seven

Plot

Lucia leaving for Italy to see her dad (Luigi)

Rosinella trying to distract herself

Massimo trying to convince Rosinella to go to airport –she refuses

Rosinella expresses unconditional love for Lucia

Characters & Relationships

Rosinella upset and trying to distract herself

Massimo distraught

Lucia quiet, Hughie feels terrible

Themes & Issues:

Family splitting

Love – Hughie

TASK

1.

Rosinella

2.

Massimo

3.

Bridget

4.

Luigi

5.

Lucia

6.

Franco

7.

Hughie

Write a prediction of how each

character’s journey will end in

the closing scenes of the play.

Starter Task

1.

Rosinella

2.

Massimo

3.

Bridget

4.

Luigi

5.

Lucia

6.

Franco

7.

Hughie

Discuss your predictions with

your group.

Are there any commonalities?

STARTER TASK

1.

Rosinella

2.

Massimo

3.

Bridget

4.

Luigi

5.

Lucia

6.

Franco

7.

Hughie

In your groups write down (at

least) 2 questions that you would

like to ask each of the characters.

The questions should help you to

understand the character – they

are not a test!

Today we are learning to...

Explore and explain characterisation in ‘Tally’s

Blood’

And we will be able to...

Complete character profile sheets

Create interesting questions to ask characters

Represent  a character in ‘the hot seat’

Act 2, Scene 9

To what extent does

Rosinella get what she

deserves?

1.

Rosinella

2.

Massimo

3.

Bridget

4.

Luigi

5.

Lucia

6.

Franco

7.

Hughie

Update your assigned character’s poster (if

you have Luigi you will have to make a new

one).

Each poster must:



Personality



Relationships with others



Aspirations 

(what do they want?)



Difficulties 

(what challenges do they face?)



Thematic Links 

(how do they

develop/represent themes?)



Textual references 

(quotes  and scene

)

TASK

THEMES

PREJUDICE

WAR

FAMILY

LOVE

MARRIAGE

CHILDREN

ROLE OF

WOMEN

ROLE OF MEN

Tally’s Blood

Each group

will take

their place

on ‘The Hot

Seat’.

Br prepared

to answer

questions

as your

character.

Luigi Ianelli  – Character Profile

•

Driven by self interest and a desire for possessions

•

Views Massimo and Rosinella as targets, allowing them

to pay for Lucia’s wedding

•

Uses Lucia (and presumably his wives) as slaves

•

Very traditional interpretation of the Italian father

exercising control over the family

•

Uses Rosinella to raise Lucia then expects Lucia to run his

house

•

Lazy, greedy sponger

•

Covets his neighbours land

‘When you’ve finished the clothes, you’ve to come up to the

house.  Ma wife’s going to teach you to clean a chicken.’

Lucia Ianelli  – Character Profile

•

As a ruthless youngster she is very

manipulative

•

As she matures she finds Rosinella’s ‘love’

stifling

•

Adopted by her aunt and uncle at the age of 2

•

Learns about prejudice and racism throughout

the play

‘Oh, who’s that lovely wee girl?’

Massimo Pedreschi  – Character Profile

•

No mention of love in marriage – often fight over Lucia –

and yet he is a kind, loving man

•

Naturally the head of the household, but weak when it

comes to Lucia

•

Interned by the British for 4 years during the war  and

loses his father

•

Appears to be happy in Scotland and shows compassion

and empathy to others

•

Becomes distanced from Rosinella as she grows bitter

‘I used to feel like I had two countries, now I feel  I’ve got  nowhere’

Rosinella Pedreschi – Character Profile

•

Sees marriage as inevitable and desirable

•

Manipulative, particularly towards Massimo

•

Devoted to Lucia, particularly because she cannot

have her own children

•

Personifies the theme of prejudice

•

Puts her family first at all times and is fiercely

protective of them all

•

Becomes cold and bitter towards the end of the

play

‘Nobody loves their families like the Italians’

Hughie Devlin  – Character Profile

•

Finds it difficult to express his love as his

friendship with Lucia is based on fun

•

Is afraid that his love will not be reciprocated

•

Declares his love for Lucia

•

Very hard working

•

Copes well with the death of his father

‘I have waited years – years- for Lucia.  Blending

into the background, knowing my place.’

Bridget Devlin  – Character Profile

•

Oldest of 8 (large, catholic family)

•

Head of the family financially as her mother

cannot cope with the death of her father

•

Loves Franco sincerely

•

Has an abortion when Franco is at war

•

Encourages Hughie to follow his dreams

•

Spinster

•

Bravely speaks openly to Rosinella

‘

Just a wee Scottish Tart for him to practice on’

Franco Pedreschi – Character Profile

•

Enjoys his status as a heroic figure

•

Genuinely loves Bridget and fights against his

family’s wishes to be with her

•

Killed fighting for the British in the war

•

Hot blooded, Italian male

•

Defies family pressure

•

Views himself as British

‘

Nothings going to happen to me Bridget, I promise’

Dramatic Conflict

Dramatic conflict is created when a character 

is

prevented 

from getting something he or she wants.

A play is centred around the resolution of a

central conflict/conflicts.

The play is over when the conflict is resolved

(denouement).

Group Task

You have 4 minutes to list as many examples of

dramatic conflict in ‘Tally’s Blood’ as you can.

Hint: Make your way through the characters asking

what do they want and what is preventing

them from getting it?

Be prepared to explain the definition of

dramatic conflict along with examples to the

class.

Group Task

You have 4 minutes to list as many examples of

dramatic conflict in ‘Tally’s Blood’ as you can.

Hint: Make your way through the characters asking

what do they want and what is preventing

them from getting it?

Be prepared to explain the definition of

dramatic conflict along with examples to the

class.

Partner Task – Theme :

Explore your assigned theme by creating a

mind map which outlines:



Key events



Important quotes



Explanation and analysis

How does this

event help to

develop the

theme?

What does each

event teach us

about theme?

Why does the

writer include

this?

Nationalism

•

Rosinella is fiercely Italian

•

Massimo is more aware of the need to become a part

of Scottish society

•

Lucia, as a youngster insists on talking Italian

•

Franco regards himself as British rather than Italian or

Scottish

•

Rosinella is guilty of racism in her hostility to the

Scottish way of life

•

Although Rosinella’s constant comparison between

Scots and Italians adds humour to the play, it also

carries the important message about how easily

nationalism can drift into racism

Prejudice

•

Personified by Rosinella

•

Rosinella is an immigrant prejudiced towards her adopted

country (flipped view of prejudice)

•

Harsh treatment of Italian families by both mob and

government

•

Rosinella believes Italians should only marry ‘their own’

and frowns upon Franco and Bridget

•

Rosinella feels Scottish women are cheap and dirty (does

this stem from jealousy?)

•

Rosinella can appear to think selfishly in this sense, but may

be attempting to protect her family and preserve Italian

culture

•

Attack on the shop – prejudice towards Italians

War

•

Massimo’s monologue emphasises the horror of war, even

for non-combatants

•

Exposition – threat of war is clear

•

Massimo interred, Franco killed, Daddy drowned, shop

attacked

•

Willingness of Franco to serve (and die) in the British army

•

Pointless death of daddy

•

Luigi’s account of the destruction of Monte Cassimo and

the villages round about

•

War rips through the heart of Rosinella’s family

•

Reinforces prejudices – Italy and Scotland cut off for years

Role of Women

•

Rosinella cannot read – uneducated

•

Rosinella presents herself as a martyr – choosing

to buy Lucia clothes over herself

•

 Rosinella is the unofficial head of the house –

manipulating decisions and behaviour

•

Luigi exerts total control over ‘his women’

•

Do not have equal rights; Bridget is forbidden to

go dancing, girls have to get married if they

become pregnant, or worse suffer the pain of an

abortion rather than live life as an unmarried

mother

Role of men

•

Franco sees himself as the romantic hero (supported by his

enlistment in the army)

•

Hughie is the opposite of a romantic hero – too shy to

admit his love, reluctant to climb the ladder

•

Massimo’s final scene shows him as a romantic hero (with

tongue in cheek perhaps)

•

Massimo is naturally the head of the household, but is can

be manipulated by Lucia and Rosinella

•

Luigi exerts total control over his women – asking Rosinella

to raise Lucia then demanding her back to clean and bring

in money

•

‘Daddy’ is a god-like father figure who keeps tight control

over his sons

Rosinella and Massimo

•

Loving, teasing, showing affection in a rough kind

of way

•

Very little mention of love

•

Often argue, usually over Lucia

•

Massimo slaps Rosinella

•

Massimo comes to recognise Rosinella’s

selfishness and there is an estrangement

between them

•

Conversion to Hughie's cause brings Massimo

back to her

Love

•

Bridget and Franco

•

Lucia and Hughie – move very slowly over a

period of about 12 years

•

Rosinella  and Massimo – apparent solidity of

their love takes a knock when he realises the

full extent of her selfishness

Family

•

Driving force of Rosinella:

•

Rushes to look after ‘daddy’ as he is head of the

household and must be respected

•

Cannot have children of her own – this upsets her

greatly (contrast with Devlin’s family of 8)

•

Dreads losing Lucia

•

Overly keen interest in Franco’s relationship

Franco and…

•

Massimo – strong brotherly affection which

survives a bitter fight over enlistment.  Franco

is a little jealous of Massimo’s break for their

father

•

Bridget – Although Franco enjoys his status as

heroic figure, he does seem to be genuinely in

love with Bridget, prepared to risk his father’s

wrath and boasting about her to Rosinella, in

spite of her hositlity to Scottish girls

Lucia and…

•

Hughie: Begin as childish sparring partners and never quite

lose the fun element of their relationship.  This makes it

hard for Hughie to speak up and change the nature of their

friendship

•

Rosinella: Rosinella is devoted to Lucia, forgetting that she

may have to lose her some day.  Her lack of children makes

Lucia particularly important to her.  He spoils Lucia and

finds it hard to discipline her.  As a youngster Lucia

ruthlessly manipulates her aunt.  As she gets older, she

finds Rosinella’s care for her becoming stifling and she hurts

Rosinella with a bitter outburst.

Scottish Text – Nat 5 Exam

•

Extract from play printed in exam paper

•

Asked 5 questions related to the extract

•

Total of 20 marks available

•

Final question = 8 marks

•

Questions 1 – 4 will relate to the extract only

•

Question 5 will require you to make reference

to other sections of the play

‘Tally’s Blood’

Act One, Scene Eleven – Textual Analysis

1.

In your own words, explain how di Mambro shows Bridget’s anxiety

and worry. You should make at least 4 points.

          4

2.

Looking at the stage directions, explain how di Mambro shows Rosinella’s

contempt for Bridget.  You need to explain how the stage directions work.       

2

3.

In your own words, summarise Rosinella’s argument to Bridget as to

why she should forget Franco.                                                                           

4

4.

With close reference to the text explain Rosinella’s feelings about:

(a)

Family

(b)

Her nationality

4

5.

Rosinella’s ideas about nationality are an important theme in the play.

 With reference to the rest of the play, explain how nationalism is explored.    

6

The 8 mark question

Themes:



 Prejudice



War



Family (marriage and children)



Love



Role of men and women



Nationalism

Relationships:



Rosinella and ?

Example Questions

•

This extract shows one moment in Rosinella

and Massimo’s relationship.  With close

reference to this extract and elsewhere in the

play, explain how their relationship is

portrayed. (8)

•

Prejudice is an important theme in Tally’s

Blood. By referring to this extract and to other

important parts of the play, show how the

theme is explored in the play.  (8)

Scottish Text – Final Question

•

Worth 8 marks at National 5

•

Marks are likely to be picked up in 4 pairs of 2

•

Answers can be extended bullet points or formal

continuous prose

•

You can pick up a maximum of 4 marks by dealing

with the extract printed on the exam paper.

•

The other 4 marks must come by way of

reference to the other parts of the play that are

not printed in the exam paper

Example of how to answer…

Q

. 

This extract deals with racial stereotypes.  With .

(8)

•

Identification of commonality in this extract and

at least one other part of the play = 2 marks

•

Another 2 marks can be picked up from dealing

with another aspect of racial stereotypes in the

printed extract and commenting on how it is

portrayed to the audience. Quote + comment =

2 marks

•

The remaining 4 marks are most likely to be

picked up in 2 pairs of 2 marks

•

All examples and references must come from

other parts of the play that are not printed.

•

Relevant reference to technique/idea/feature of

another part of the play that deals with

Rosinella and Massimo = 1 mark

Appropriate explanation of how this example

portrays another element of Massimo and

Rosinella’s relationship  = 1 mark

•

You repeat this process 2 times for all 4 marks

Welcome Back

1.

Tally’s Blood Questions

2.

‘Orphans’ Close Reading Practice

Homework for 3

rd

 November

Final draft of personal reflective folio

piece (word count 600-1000)

My advice:   Try to read some articles from the comments section

of The Guardian.  App is free or access via website.