Here are some questions to help you forge your own understanding of the Cultural Context of the play ‘Sive’ by John B. Keane. Write a comment on this post answering one of the questions and remember to use quotation to support every point you make.
- What is good about Sive’s life in the play?
- In what way is her life restricted?
- What do you think of Thomasheen’s attitude to marriage?
- Describe society at that time in your own words.
- How is family life for Sive depicted?
- How important are the circumstances of Sive’s birth in the play?
- Choose a key moment in the play that is pivotal in describing the social world for a modern reader.
- How important is money in ‘Sive’?
- Compare and contrast the attitudes of Nanna and Mena towards Sive.
- What is Thomasheen’s attitude towards women in the play?
- Who has power in ‘Sive’ and how do they gain that power?
- To what extent is society in ‘Sive’ male dominated?
- Describe some of the customs and traditions described by Keane in this play.
- Discuss Keane’s treatment of education in this play.