SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND
RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS

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!’
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Only the criminals, like Binks, make a living;

Alex thinks education is a waste of time;
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The Kid represents a culture of materialism;
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The Youths represent a culture of casual
violence, needlessly violent in their attack on the
shop;
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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;

Apart from Binks, Alex and Brian meet noone who has wealth;‘
Nobody round here worth mugging’
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
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;
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;
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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.
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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.

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.
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.
USE OF HISTORY,
NOSTALGIA AND
POPULAR TRADITION


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?

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?

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?

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
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?
Binks is made a figure of ridicule, even though he
represents a genuine evil in society.
Find examples of both in the text.


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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.
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.
ISSUES OF
GENDER


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?

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?
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Alex begins the play with an archetypically malebehaving 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.
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.