Historical Context

Historical Context of Men Should Weep

Understanding the Historical Setting

  • Ena Lamont Stewart’s Men Should Weep is set in the 1930s, during the Great Depression.
  • This was a time of severe economic downturn that affected many countries, leading to extreme levels of poverty and unemployment.

Impact of the Great Depression on Glasgow

  • The Great Depression hit Scotland, and particularly Glasgow, very hard. The city was heavily industrialised and relied on shipbuilding, heavy industry and manufacturing sectors, which were strongly impacted.
  • Many people lost their jobs and fell into poverty, which is reflected realistically in the lives of the characters in Men Should Weep.

The Glasgow Tenements

  • The play takes place in a rundown tenement flat in the East End of Glasgow, accurately reflecting the housing conditions of many impoverished families at that time.
  • Glasgow tenements were overcrowded, unsanitary and lacked basic amenities – a plight Stewart accurately represented to highlight her social-political commentary.

Gender Roles in the 1930s

  • The division of labour was deeply gendered, with men expected to be the breadwinners and women as primary caregivers and homemakers.
  • This is evident with the characters John and Maggie - Maggie’s frustrations at her inability to provide a good home and John’s sense of emasculation from being unemployed and unable to provide for his family.

Class Struggles and Social Issues

  • The play highlights stark class inequalities, with the desperate lifestyle of the working-class contrasting drastically with the more privileged existence of the middle and upper classes.
  • Issues such as domestic violence, infant mortality, and malnutrition, common in lower socio-economic contexts, figure prominently in the narrative, further emphasising the harsh realities of the time.

The Role of the Church and Community

  • The church was a central part of community life, with characters like Mrs. Bone embodying the judgemental and moralistic attitudes often associated with the institution.
  • Conversely, characters like Sadie and Lily highlight the sense of community and mutual aid that could exist in such tough circumstances, reflecting a common survival strategy during the economic crisis.

In Conclusion, the Historical Context of Men Should Weep

  • Helps to shape our understanding of the conditions and struggles faced by the characters.
  • Authenticates the representation of life in poverty-stricken, working-class Glasgow during the 1930s.
  • Deepens our understanding of the gender norms and expectations of the time.
  • Highlights the historical roots of class struggle and social issues.
  • Illustrates the importance of community resilience and survival strategies during economic crisis.