What are the themes in sive by john b keane?

Answer 1

Act one

Scene One

Pg 1 The setting is given to us at the start of the text. We are given a sparse dwelling suggesting that this household is short on money. Nana is described clearly as passive in this household as she is sitting doing nothing. She hides her pipe clearly afraid of reaction from the entering Mena. Mena's description is one of a strong built, hard working harsh woman. Mena and Nana argue over Nana hiding the pipe and Nana clearly shows her dislike for Mena by stating 'twas a sore day for me when my son took you as a wife'

Pg 2 Mena shows a materialistic side when she says she only married Mike to get a roof over her head and she could have done better if she waited. Mena is clearly not too happy with her current lifestyle. The description of Sive when she enters is of a young woman of beauty. Sive mentions that she cooked 'fricassee' and 'dartois'. The use of such fancy names gives the idea that Sive has a level of class about her. Mena believes Sive not be going to school but working at a farm. Mena insults Sive's mother but Sive does not understand the remark. We find out all Sive knows about her mother is that she died when Sive was a baby.

Pg 3 Sive keeps asking Nana questions about her mother and father but Nana avoids them. When Sive asks if her mother was pretty Nana replies 'too pretty'. Nana and Mena fight again and we find out that Mena cannot have children.

Pg 4 Mena and Nana continue to insult each other. Thomasheen enters the house and the description gives the idea he is sneaky. This will be the essence of his character for the remainder of the text. We learn Thomasheen is a matchmaker.

Pg 5 Thomasheen starts talking about nothing and when Mena asks him to just say why he came he asks if they are alone to talk in secret. Thomas explains that an old man from the village wants to marry Sive. Thomasheen sneaky nature is seen when he tries to describe the way the man looks at her as love. Mena says the Sive is illegitimate suggesting that she is not marriageable material as she whomever marries her has nothing to gain from it. Thomasheen starts by suggesting Sean Dota will pay anything to marry Sive.

Pg 6 Mena is still surprised that Sean Dota would marry Sive knowing he would gain nothing of monetary value. Mena's interest is sparked when she realises that she will receive 200 pounds from Sean Dota if Sive marries him. Mena agrees to think about it but tells Thomasheen that Sive is more interested in love and romance than comfort and security. The clear issue here is that Mena is showing that she is materialistic.

Pg 7 Mena becomes more interested in the deal when Thomasheen tells her he can convince Sean Dota to take Nana as part of the bargain. Mena shows she is clearly annoyed that Sive is given the chance to be educated rather than working on the farm. This gives us a hint at jealousy. Mena is worried that Mike will say no but Thomasheen assures her that she will be able to get around him. Thomasheen tells Mena to think about the money and then Nana enters the room nosily interrupting them.

Pg 8 Nana remarks that Thomasheen is up to no good and not a good character. Thomasheen goes to leave and looks around outside to make sure he is not seen. Mike enters telling Mena that he sold the bonham's.

Pg 9 Mena tells Mike that there is a match for Sive and Mike says that Sive is in his care and that she is too young to marry. Mena starts to give out about the fact that Sive is illegitimate and that the parish knows it.

Pg 10 Mena explains to Mike that it is Sean Dota that wants to marry Sive. Mike reacts badly and more than once emphasises that this will never happen. Mike has Sive's best interests in mind here. This is important for later when Liam Scuab shows attraction for Sive and Mike does not like him.

Pg 11 Mike storms out of the house and Mena follows. Liam Scuab enters and Nana meets him while explaining he better not get caught in the house as Mike does not like Liam or his family. Liam and Sive make plans to meet later if Sive can sneak out of the house. Sive is alarmed when she learns Thomasheen was at the house "What did that devil want?"

Pg 12 Sive thinks match making is "horrible" and Liam says he will marry no one but her. Mike enters and has an argument with Liam. We find out that it was one of Liam's cousins that got Sive's mother pregnant, left her not knowing she was pregnant and died on a boat journey to England. Liam explains that he knows this but it has nothing to do with him and he loves Sive. Liam leaves with Mike screaming for Mena. We must take the screaming as Mike wanting Sive to marry Sean Dota so Liam cannot do so.

Answer 2

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