The "Middle"

The “Middle”

The Middle

Industrialisation:

• The pace of change is dramatically increased as the play shifts its focus to the impact of industrialisation. The mechanisation of work and advent of mass production dramatically alters the character of Scotland and paves the way for clearing of lands.
• The play outlines the ruthless eviction of tenants from their homesteads, forcing them into poverty or migration. This lays bare the brutal tactics of landowners and the impact of industrialisation on vulnerable communities.

Emigration:

• The harsh realities of forced emigration are depicted with stories of desperate people setting sail for foreign lands. This serves as an indictment of the social conditions that necessitated such drastic measures.
• Focus on the plight of those who were sent to the ‘New World’ ineptly prepared. The audience witnesses the horrors faced by immigrants, connecting the audience to the harsh realities of Scottish history.

Exploitation of Workers:

• The play delves into the working conditions faced by the average Scottish labourer during this period, with particular focus on the herring fisherwomen and the miners.
• Capitalist exploitation is a recurring theme, with the play exploring the consequences of unbridled industrial growth on individuals and communities.

Representation of Power and Control:

• The theme of power and control is sustained and explored – be it in the aristocracy, captains of industry, or eventual oil giants.
• The character dialogues and events shed light on how industrial barons wield their influence, highlighting the imbalance of power between them and the average workers.