Spring and Port Wine: A Family’s Explosive Weekend
Spring and Port Wine: A Family’s Explosive Weekend

Spring and Port Wine: A Family’s Explosive Weekend

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  • Pages: 5 (1196 words)
  • Published: October 11, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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"Spring and Port Wine" was written by Bill Naughton during the late 1950's and first performed on stage in 1965. This play about how the Cromptons have for many years been subjugated by Rafe (the father) and his authoritarian rules. One explosive weekend halts Rafe's authority when Hilda stands up to her father however, this dispute results in underlying home truths being told. The play is set in the early 1960's- a working class family living in Bolton which focuses on the Crompton family life, a play of its place and time.

The house is described through the stage directions as a "comfortable, prosperous, working-class home". Themes include work, parenting, attitudes to women and a gap in generations. These themes highlight the period of which it was written in furthermore, interactions between characters and the nature of issues hig

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hlight the social and generational context, written specifically for an audience of that period. Throughout the play there are many dramatic effects used however, the main one being the herring incident.This is what triggers everything off.

During this scene Bill Naughton uses this dramatic device to bring the whole family together where, all underlying agitations and resentments come out. Rafe and Daisy's children have matured into adulthood but, Rafe still looks upon them as children. At this period in the play we learn the Crompton's true colours. For example, we can see there is a lack of communication between Rafe and his children, which may show Rafe deficient in parenting skills.

On the other hand, this lack of communication could be a result of one of the main themes in the play, the generation gap, the reason being becaus

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the children have different attitudes and values than their parents. We can see these different attitudes when Rafe asks Hilda about her "weekend" magazine, "Do you have to waste your money on such trash? " Furthermore, Rafe says, "It might be news, but it's never truth" and emphasises the truth by picking up the "family bible".This conveys the attitudes between older and younger generations as to what the younger generation think the truth may be in oppose to the older generation. This incident starts off when Hilda refuses to eat her herrings, "I don't really fancy my herring" however Rafe takes control of the situation by "quietly beckoning Daisy to sit", this stage direction is effectively used to emphasise the influence of Rafe as he is the head of the house. Rafe and Hilda have a realistic argument concerning the herrings.Hilda becomes extremely annoyed as she brings her "share of the money" into the home.

None the less, Rafe argues he never thought any less of her when she never "brought in ha'penny" and would love her the same even if she brought in "twenty pounds". At this point Rafe is arguing over a principle and we see a good example of the generation gap and how the younger generation have different attitudes to money opposed to Rafe as we know he is careful with his money, "he puts the housekeeping money in the book and locks the desk".Rafe's reaction is in such a way that he feels Hilda has disrespected him and feels irritated that Daisy has put so much effort into the preparation of the herrings. At this place in the scene there

are different reactions towards Hilda from the rest of the characters. For example, Wilfred gives a look of "sympathetic support" showing he empathises considerably. Florence gives a "reproving glance" which highlights the fact she is on Rafe's side which shows she is trying to show her maturity and rise above all her other siblings, and Daisy remains the peacemaker by giving a "comforting, motherly look".

Daisy's parenting skills contrasts with Rafe's conduct as he explains his kids were never "spoilt when young" and sets his standards and the theme of parenting is portrayed through the responsibilities he has to undergo as a parent, "feed... tend.

.. work...

an' love 'em" emphasising his task as the head of his family. Hilda's immaturity is highlighted when she says, "why should I eat" and doesn't understand Rafe's anecdote of the "hunger marchers". This is where the generation gap is involved, when the younger generation conflicts with the older generation and in this case doesn't understand over Rafe's principle of when "families go hungry".Naughton uses this dramatic device in effect to highlight the generation gap and the theme of parenting.

The theme of parenting is shown through the way both parents act differently to the herring incident also the generation gap is shown as when a child grows up they begin to develop their own ideas and thoughts and show arrogance towards the younger generation. As a character Rafe tends to be isolated. This is because he has a lack of communication between his children, and he doesn't show his true love and affection towards them.Rafe could be seen as someone who has more consideration for his money than his family,

as he keeps it under "lock and key".

He speaks of his past experiences to make his children understand his principle just as he understood. We learn at the end of the play all he wants in a home is order. Hilda and Rafe are very much alike as they are both stubborn and the herring incident results in a much bigger argument, Rafe over reacts and Hilda shows resentment and anger as she helped pay for the food and feels she should have a choice.She doesn't understand Rafe's point and this is where we see generations clashing.

Wilf and Harold are almost same as Hilda as they provide support and sympathy towards Hilda but again don't really understand Rafe's point, again showing the differentiation in generations. Florence shows the most maturity of the four children as she understands Rafe's point and shows her support towards her father however, it can be argued she trying to seek attention from her parents by acting mature.Daisy remains the favourite parent and wants everyone to be happy. She always seems to be trying to satisfy Rafe's expectations, the fact that she is described as a "contented housewife" and the home is "comfortable" and "prosperous" shows she works hard to maintain such a living.

In my own response to the play I think that the play is all about responsibilities. There is no 'right' way of bringing up children and parents learn from their own past experiences. Parents use their experiences to set rules to live by.In this case Rafe sets all the rules and is the disciplinarian; Daisy is the softer parent and the favourite. They are successful

parents as a whole but; things go wrong because of the generation gap.

As children grow up they become more independent and tend to clash with their parents because, they have a different set of values. Equally the parents and children need to understand each other; a successful family needs to communicate. Underlying resentments and feuds are often about something else or absolutely nothing.

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