THE STEAMIE- SOCIAL, POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS QUOTES
SOCIAL BACKGROUND & CONDITIONS
Care of the Elderly
“we never bother wi’ Hogmanay noo he, wi’ the family away…it’s no the same” p.206
“If you’re needin’ a wee hand noo…just gi’e us a shout” p206
“Excuse ma language Mrs Culfeathers” p.211
Doreen -
She’s been here since wan o’clock. Imagine havin’ tae take in washin’ at her age.
Y’ed think her family wid help her oot
Magrit-
Ah know. It’s a disgrace, she’ll no hear a word against them either.” p213
[Poverty also]
Mrs Culfeather’s says nothing throughout the phonecall scene/says very little at the start of
the play. This could by symobolic as to how she’s ignored/forgotten about. This is emphasised
when she does say something:“Ah it doesnae matter, there’s naebody would be phonin’ me anyway”
p224 This is quite a poignant ending to a humourous scene.
“I hope you don’t think I’m cheeky, I don’t mean tae be, but it’s jist that the way yer talkin’…are
you feeling lonely?...if it’s none o’ my business just tell me tae shut up. I just wondered if I could
maybe help.” Doreen to Mrs C p230
“when yer family’s moved away, and ye don’t see them, it’s awful empty. D’ye know, I’ve got three
great-grand weans…and I’ve never seen them // …They’ve never asked me…but I’d like to
see…(she breaks down)” Mrs C p231
Doreen:
That’s a bloody shame.
Dolly:
They want their buckin’ arses kicked. Never mind ye’ve goat friends all roon ye
here. p231
“Are ye needin’ a wee haun there?...Ach I’ll gie ye a haun anyway. Ah’m finished here.” Dolly p234
Mrs Culfeather’s doesn’t normally have people to talk/listen to her so she gets quite excited when telling
the mince story. This could be an indication of just how lonely she is.
Mrs Culfeather’s is addressed by all as, “Mrs Culfeathers” showing their respect.
Magrit:
I’m sorry I shouted Mrs Culfeathers.
Mrs C:
Ye don’t need tae apologies tae me Magrit.
Magrit:
Oh yes I do…my mother and father brought me up to respect my elders…if they
deserved it…and you deserve respect Mrs Culfeathers. Yer a find old woman and
I’d nae right tae shout at ye. So I hope ye’ll accept my apology. p255
“I’ll gie Mrs Culfeather’s a wee haund tae finish up. How ye getting’ oan? Ye managin’ alright?”
Doreen, p260
“I’ll gie ye a haund doon wi’ yer pram Mrs Culfeathers.” Magrit p261
Sense of Community/Friendship
“D’you know Cissy Gilchrist? ….Aye you dae” pp.204/5
“Aw right ye daft wee bugger.” p217
“That’s what ah like aboot the steamie, yer aye busy and there’s aye somebody ye know tae talk
tae” p228
“Jenny says when she goes in she never knows anybody. Aw ye dae is sit and stare at the
machines. Naebody talks tae wan another except maybe ‘it’s a cold day’ or ‘have y goat change of
a shillin’ .” p229
Dolly:
That’s what it’s all about this time o’ the year, ye meet people ye’ve never met
before.
Andy:
Aye…an usually hope ye never meet them again.
p227
“ye could go and have a wee blether anytime ye felt like it, anytime except Sunday. The men
used tae play the fitba on the Sunday, but it was a great meetin’ place. There was never any
loneliness in that place, naebody seemed to be lonely then.” Mrs C, p228
“That’s what ah like aboot the steamie, yer aye busy and there’s aye somebody ye know tae talk
tae.” Dolly, p228
“it seems as if people are no aw-the-gither, as they used to be” Mrs C p229
“Ah think friendship wi’ a lot of people is gonnae be impossible. Friendly wi’ wan or two is all we
can hope for.” Mrs C p229
“This time for the first time, I’m gonnae drink it, tae toast you three…for being ma pals…To
pals.” Mrs C p233
There is an entire song devoted to Pals signifying the importance of community and friendship to the
women.
Mrs Culfeather’s has been getting her mince from Galloway’s for over 20years. How many of us can say
that?
Doreen and Dolly take time out to help Mrs Culfeather’s work out the mince mystery showing they care for
and respect her.
They even look out for Andy “We’d better do something aboot him.” Doreen p258 Dolly says he can
go up to hers when he comes round.
Change – Old v New/Young v Old
Dolly
She says naebody talks while it’s oan.
Magrit
Christ that wouldnae suit you Dolly eh?
Dolly
Naw…I like to hear people talkin’
p221
“They’re closin’ aw the steamie’s doon, they say laundrettes are gonnae take over.” Doreen, p228
“Jenny says when she goes in she never knows anybody. Aw ye dae is sit and stare at the
machines. Naebody talks tae wan another except maybe ‘it’s a cold day’ or ‘have y goat change of
a shillin’ .” Dolly p229
“Ah think it would be great tae just pop round and watch a television set, and have aw yer
washin’ done fur ye by a machine.” Doreen p229
Dolly and Mrs C don’t see the point of “leisure time”, as Doreen calls it:
“ye no daein’ something, yer jist watchin’ other people daein’ something…I like to be busy and in
amongst people.” Dolly p230
“I just feel as if I’m finished.” Mrs C
Mrs Culfeathers doesn’t understand the scented bath or notion of pampering yourself. The older
generation is unused to this whereas the younger generation in post WWII bomb perhaps has more
disposable income and time to be able to do this.
“Ye’d never have a night like this in a laundrette eh?” Dolly, p261
Respect for self/Sense of pride
There are certain standards that people are expected to conform to in terms of decorum, respectability
and cleanliness.
Doreen:
It’ll no be a white weddin’ that.
Dolly:
Naw, they’re a bad lot them.
Doreen:
It’s weel seein’ she had tae go oot the district tae find somebosy that didnae
know her. Has she no had a wean already?” p245
“nane o’ us have goat much money, but there’s nae excuse fur thon. Ye can aye afford a bar o’
soap can’t ye?” p248 [Health & Hygiene also]
“noo I’ll say it masel ma hoose is nae palace, but how any woman that calls herself a woman could
let things get intae that state” Magrit p248
“She says n’this is ma hand tae God. ‘Ye’ll need tae excuse the mess, but I havenae goat rooned
tae ma cleanin’ the day’.” Magrit p249
“If we don’t have some self respect we
Might as well be in the ground
If we’ve nothin’ else at least
We’ve got our pride.” Pride p272 –make sure you look at this song!
“I’ll gie the stall a quick wipe o’er.” Dolly p261
Poor Health & Hygiene
Dolly washing the blankets by standing on them in the sink “This’ll save me washin’ ma feet the night”
p219
“he always has a good wash though, and he goes tae the baths twice a week” p220
“he has wan twice a year…see the boys…they’ll no wash themselves. It’s a fight to the death
every night.” P220
The peat bath incident p236, Mrs Culfeather’s points out the potential health risks:
“Ye never know who could’ve been in afore you Dolly. …Ye could catch something fae that.
…That’s near the dry docks and aw oot there, ah mean, there could be seamen fae God knows
where using they baths, an there’s aw they bad women, hangin’ aboot there as well.” p236
Doreen:
She’s filthy dirty as well.
Dolly:
They’re aw mingin. The Sanitary’s never away fae them. p247
“I always felt sorry for him. He’d tae sit by ‘iself because he’d beasts in his head, he’d had his
head aw shaved, a’ that blue stuff dabbed oan it…but he was no a bad lookin’ boy, y’know if he’d
been turned oot right.” Doreen p247
“Ye wipe yer feet when ye go oot o’ thon hoose.” Magrit p248
“they’ve got a cat, supposed tae be fur mice, but ah think it’s rats” Magrit p248
“this cat had…shit oan the flair and she’d just left it lyin’ there…ah cannae tell ye whit the smell
wis like. Ah wis…ah wis just aboot boakin’”. Magrit p248
Uneven Distribution of Wealth/Poverty
The Doctor and his wife have a lovely Irish linen tablecloth –Doreen says she’d be frightened to put
anything on it for fear of ruining it.
The girls talk about all the things people in America, the posh houses have that they would like –
“See in America, they’ve aw goat them in the hooses but they call them showers”, p220
“Some ae the big hooses in Dalmeny Crescent have them” [TVs] p.220
Doreen:
That’s ma dream, a hoose in the country wi’ a television, a bath, a phone an’ a
garden as well.
Magrit:
Christ yer no wantin’ much are ye?” p.220
Doreen:
Ah’ll get it eventually Magrit, ah’ve put ma name doon fur a hoose in Drumchapel
Dolly:
Ooh, she’ll no be talking to us eh, Magrit?
p221
“Could I perhaps have a word with Mrs Doreen Hood?” p221 –taking the mick out of people living
in the posh houses. They become less colloquial, more formal, adopt a posher accent.
Doreen lists all the things she has in her imaginary Drumchapel house… terrazzo marble, French
windows, a thick pile on the carpet, radiogram, refrigerator, washing machine. Each word is in
italics to draw attention to it, make it appear grander. Think about what items you have in your
house, do these things sound particularly impressive?
“She’s in the sandstone flats. They’re lovely, hellovah clean lookin’ so they ur, an’ the closes are
all well looked after…they’re aw tiled closes where she is…they look as if it was doctors that
lived up them at wan time.” Dolly p234
The steamie in another area has far better facilities: “the stalls are aw thon Bakelite,
beautifully white, and the wringers are aw chrome.” Dolly p234
“an when ye have a bath they’re scentit.” Dolly p235
When Dolly goes on holiday so doesn’t go to some exotic location, she goes up the road and she STILL goes
to the steamie to do her washing. p234
“All the things we do have
They were bought and paid for, working
With the fruits of honest labour” Pride, p272
“that’s a bought hoose y’know” Mrs C, p250
“ye get the weans ready and oot the hoose lookin’ as tidy and well dressed as ye can afford.”
Magrit p257.
“When you live in a room and kitchen” p263 [The Big Picture]
Social class
Magrit’s bawdy humour indicates her class – p215
Dolly:
When we were daein’ the lean-back he could get his leg in atween mine faster
than usual.
Magrit:
Nae fool Andy Wilson eh? p216
“Ah think ah’m getting’ another wee corn in there. Naw, it’s just a bit o’ hard skin.” p218 –this is
not something you would talk about in polite company.
Contempt for Authority
Those in positions of authority aren’t generally well liked,
“he thought he wis something, he’d wan o’ yon awffy toffy voices…aye naebody liked him” p.205
Little attention is paid to rules/regulations
“There’s a sign saying NO OVERALLS OR GREASY OBJECTS TO BE WASHED IN THE STALL.
Dolly makes sure no one is looking and packs in 3 pairs of dungarees.” P.204
The women don’t get on well with the Dr, thinks he looks down on them
“he just gave me one ae they stupid wee smiles o’ his, ye know thon wey as if tae say yer now
right in the heid” p211
“he a plausible wee swine”
Andy’s the “authority” in the steamie but he has no control over the women, he’s mothered by
them, called “son” by Mrs Culfeathers.
A – No drinks allowed in here.
M- How did you swing it then? P.217
People tend to deal with issues without involving the authorities, or the authorities are reluctant
to get involved, “Don’t call a cop, remember what a telt ye/ They’ll say domestic” p269, Pals. Also
in the song are digs at the Government and religion.
Very Little Leisure time
Drink is repeatedly mentioned, usually in connection with men, however this highlights its
importance in society of the time. When the women drink it’s usually a special occasion (see Mrs
C quote above in Community).
Cinema
Dancing
Football for the men, the women talk about it but don’t really get it.
Attitudes to religion
“When wan o’ youse die, dae they stay in the hoose tae they’re burriet?” p.207
Magrit-
…that’s God punishing me.
Doreen-
Will you need tae tell that when ye go tae confess?
Magrit-
Naw. It would be too complicatit tae try tae explain it aw tae the Priest, I’ll
stick in something else. That’ll make up for it. p215
Dolly’s quite inquisitive about the Catholic faith. She asks a lot of questions and Magrit answers
them. Their friendship shows that although they are of different religions, it’s not really an
issue.
Religion is not strictly adhered to “Aye…well it is a sin, but it’s no as bad as that. They don’t
take ye oot and shoot ye, yer jist no supposed tae dae it.” Magrit p243
“in theory ye shouldnae have tae dae it mer than wance, cause ye promise never tae dae it again,
but of course it never works oot that wey, so it’s usually aboot wance a week.” Magrit p244
“Peter does all his confessin’ tae the money-lender and the bookie. The only connection he’s goat
wi’ religion is staunin’ at Parkhead shoutin’ about King Billy wi’ the rest o’ the ijiots.” Magrit p244
THE STEAMIE- ISSUES OF GENDER QUOTES
SYMBOLIC MARTYR
“she is efficient but the others are quicker because they are stronger.” P204, this shows the
women do this job regularly and are quite hardworking.
Glesga Green = washing/work for women and football/fun for the men.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships between the women are positive, they all say “hello” when they arrive and they
know each other’s name.
“Can ye no find yer ticket hen?” the term of endearment shows the women are close/friendly.
The women look out for each other, “Ye’re welcome tae come up tae us ye know” Dolly p206
“he’s lying up there drunk already, oot the game, sick o’er the carpet, pig. His breath’s like a
burst lavy, ye could strip paint wi’ it.” Magrit p207. This shows Magrit’s anger and frustration at
her husband. He appears to be extremely fond of drink and pretty useless. [Men & Power,
Marriage & The Family]
Peter is a stereotypical man. “Peter says it was the first two things he noticed about me.”
Magrit p210 talking about the size of her chest.
“It’s the doctor’s wife’s” –Mrs C, p210. Women are described by their relationship to a man.
Andy calls Mrs Culfeathers “Mrs Culfeathers” showing respect for her age and gender. She calls
him “son” showing her maternal nature.
Men are stereotyped as being dirty/dirtier than women:
“he’s mingin’ when he gets home” Magrit p219
“see the boys…they’ll no wash themselves. It’s a fight tae the death every night. Ye want tae
see their shirt collars, ye could plant tatties in them.” Magrit p220
“Aye men are aw clatty in their persons.” Dolly, p220.
When all the women have 1 drink, Andy has 2 again linking men and drink. Also, the women (with
the exception of Dolly and Mrs Culfeathers who doesn’t normally drink) drink sherry while Andy
drinks whiskey p224.
Mrs C:
I’ll take a whiskey though…
Magrit:
Ye know ah’d never touch this fae wan year tae the next.
Dolly:
Me an aw, unless it’s an occasion. It’s a man’s thing really i’n’t it?
p232
“Heh. Language you…there’s ladies present” Magrit, p226. This shows there are different
standards/expectations for women/men. Women are deemed more sensitive, men more coarse.
This also highlights women & power as Magrit tells Andy off.
Magrit does not speak positively of her husband “Ma Peter would drink it oot a shitty cloot.”
p232 portraying him as a useless drunk. This leads us to question if he’s so useless, why is she
with him? –social standards/religion? (once you’re married you stay married/divorce is a sin) or
is it because she genuinely loves him?
Magrit shows disdain for her husband and what he gets up to “He does aw his confessin’ tae the
money-lender and the bookie. The only connection he’s goat wi’ religion is staunin’ at Parkhead
shoutin’ about King Billy wi’ the rest o’ the ijiots.” p244.
Stereotypes, traditional roles –men like football, women don’t understand it p.244 This
stereotype can still be seen today although less so.
Women again represented as gossips, they gossip about men but also about other women can be
a bit bitchy: “Bella McNaughton saw her. Of course ye know what Bella’s like” p246
“I’d heard she was hawkin’ herself but I didnae know it was true.” Doreen p247
“how any woman that calls herself a woman could let things get intae that state” Magrit, p248.
Certain standards are expected from women, they take pride in taking care of the house and
their family and look down on those who don’t. [Marriage & The Family]
“He doesnae know wan butchers fae another…they’re aw jist butchers tae him. Ye know what
men are like.” Mrs C, p251. Stereotypical roles men don’t pay attention to food, shopping etc.
“Aye if you take him the right way…by the throat.” Magrit, p256 [Women & Power]
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL & THE ESTABLISHMENT
The male doctor the women go to is not well liked and doesn’t appear to have a good way with
the women: “He’s bloody useless him, no matter whit you go tae him wi’, he tells you it’s yer
nerves” p210. Does this perhaps show a misogynistic attitude to women? It certainly shows a
poor relationship between women and a man in authority.
MARRIAGE & THE FAMILY
The importance of the family to women is highlighted when Mrs Culfeather’s explains that she
doesn’t really celebrate Hogmanay any more “wi’ the family away…it’s no the same” p206. It’s
almost like her life has finished since her family left.
Some stereotypes are represented as Doreen describes her Christmas present from her
husband showing her to be quite a girly girl, “John gave me a dress and money tae get ma hair
done” Doreen p208.
All of the women in The Steamie are married therefore conforming to traditional roles in
society of the wife. 3 of the women are also mothers/grandmothers/great-grandmothers again
conforming to society’s expectation of women as wives and mothers.
“Her faither torments the life oot o’ her ‘n’ aw cause ue know how she’s awful like him” Dolly,
p209Dad’s represented as the fun/embarrassing role .
Magrit cares greatly for her kids, this is shown when she talks about nearly crying when she
gives her daughter her first bra:
“oan Christmas morning ah took her aside an gave it tae her privately, she was nearly greeting
she was that happy, she says tae me ‘Mammy that’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever had’. I
was near greetin’ masel. She says ‘Ah cannae wait tae get back tae school ‘n’ show aw ma pals’.”
Magrit p209 This shows the close bond between Magrit and her daughter, something special
that they shared together. [Also, Sexual development of characters- This shows the importance
of the transition from girl to woman for women of the time.]
“Imagine havin’ tae take in washin’ at her age. Y’ed think her family would help her oot.” Doreen,
p215. This shows that family responsibilities are taken seriously and that the women feel a duty
to their family.
“they wantit fur nothin’ they two. Of course the old fellah had a good joab…she’d aye a big bag o’
messages every Saturday. Never ony tic. N’a lovely hoose tae.” Magrit p213. This shows the
traditional roles in the family: the father going out to work/breadwinner while the mother
provides a comfortable home and feeds the family.
No sex before marriage was still expected if not strictly adhered to.
Dolly:
Noo ah’ll dae the lean-back, right stick your leg in.
Magrit:
Ah think that is us engaged.
p216
“It’ll no be a white weddin’ that” Doreen, p245 shows that sex before marriage is frowned upon.
“Naw, we werenae long enough mairried fur him tae be mad.” Doreen, p256.
“They were aw sayin’ what a devoted couple wi were…if only they’d known.” Magrit, p256.
WOMEN & POWER
Women are represented as gossips, “did you know Cissy Gilchrist?” they know everyone’s
business and spend their time discussing it. They’ve barely started their washing before the
gossip/chat begins. p204/205
Women are shown to be powerful or callous as she responds to Dolly’s comment about Cissy
Gilchrist’s dead husband with humour:
Dolly:
said he’d passed away leavin’ a grievin’ wife.
Magrit:
Nae money?
P206
This goes against the stereotypical role of women as the more sensitive sex.
All the women end up crying when Mrs C explains how she feels lonely and finished. This
conforms to the stereotype of women being the more emotional sex.
Andy:
I didnae mean it the wey ye took it, look I’m sorry.
Magrit:
Don’t apologise tae me, it’s that wee soul at the back o’ ye ye should be sayin’ yer
sorry tae…she’s nearly in tears. (Looks at DOREEN) Sure ye ur Doreen?
Doreen:
(twigs, puts on petted lip). Ah’ll be aw right Magrit. (Sniff sniff).
Andy:
(crosses to her) I’m awful sorry Doreen, I honestly didnae mean it.
p240
This shows women using their stereotyped sensitivity to their advantage. Andy falls to pieces
when faced with a crying woman and becomes putty in their hands. This shows how the women
can, in a way, manipulate the men showing them in a position of power.
“Best line of defence is attack. My mother taught me that.” Magrit, p242. Magrit’s a strong
woman obviously from a family of strong women.
“She wis a hard workin’ woman auld granny McCandlish…Of course her man died young, and she’d
tae bring up the family on her own.” Mrs C, p250 a number of strong women are represented.
Despite being widowed granny managed to get enough money to buy the house the family lived in,
no mean feat.
MEN & POWER
The first time men are mentioned, it’s unfavourably “her husband was a wee society man here
for a long time…he was a right wee messen”, “naebody liked him”, “stupit wee swine” Dolly p205
When Mrs Culfeather’s talks about Mr Culfeathers not being the man he was, this could be
symbolic for men in general.
Men are represented from the outset as drunks “Ma Uncle Harry died on New Year’s Day…He
was drunk and fell doon the stairs.” Dolly p206.
When Magrit talks about her son stealing her fags Doreen suggests “Ye should tell his faither”
p212 showing that men are expected to be the powerful force in the family. Magrit subverts
this however with “I will…the first time ah catch him sober.” P212 showing that perhaps
traditionally men have been the powerful ones this is not the case for her.
SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTERS
Dolly’s grand-daughter and Magrit’s daughter want to be pretty and womanly. Wee Angela is
terrified her feet will get bigger making her more like her dad, something he teases her about.
This upsets her greatly because it’s not something particularly feminine to have large feet.
Theresa, Magrit’s daughter, is desperately trying to increase her bust and even does exercises
“I must, I must, I must increase ma bust” Magrit p 209 something that is associated with
womanhood and femininity.
“He should’ve goat ye an ice lolly…at least it would’ve been the right shape.” p215 The fact that
Magrit make this coarse sex joke, and the fact that Doreen laughs, shows that women aren’t
sexually naïve. It also goes against traditional stereotypes in that, her comment is sexual and
crass –something you would traditionally associate with men and not ladylike behaviour.