Theme: Rebellion and Conformity

Overview

The Slab Boys explores the theme of rebellion and conformity within the setting of the slab room in a 1950s carpet factory, a metaphor for broader societal norms.
Characters grapple with the pressure to conform to societal expectations while also rebelling to assert their individuality.

The Slab Boys are seen as rebels resisting societal norms due to their irreverent humour, cruelty to each other, flamboyant behaviour, and disregard for authority.
They are non-conformist in their language, clothes and behaviour and this is contrasted with the characters like Mr. Curry and Lucille who represent the status quo.
Rebellion is also explored as a psychological resistance, where the characters resist their circumstances and strive for change or escape.
The conformity in the novel is demonstrated through characters adhering to societal standards and the expectation of working class youth to stay in their place.

The theme of rebellion and conformity acts as a driving force for the conflict and tension in the narrative.
Rebellion serves as a tool for the slab boys to negotiate their own identities and to challenge the oppressive structures that limit their ambitions.
The struggle between conformity and rebellion reflect the characters’ efforts to navigate their own futures within the confines of their socio-economic status.

A key scene showcasing this dichotomy is when the slab boys are admonished by Mr. Curry, demonstrating the resistance to regimentation and authority.
The constant rebellion against the looming spectre of the ‘spanner’, a punishment tool symbolic of oppression and the regimented factory system, underscores the theme.
Phil’s application and subsequent rejection from art school explores the theme further illustrating the tension between his rebellion and the societal expectation for him to conform.
The end scene where philosophers try to rationalize the slab boys’ refusal to conform, despite their circumstances, encapsulates the theme of rebellion and conformity.

In the context of post-war Scotland, The Slab Boys explores the tension between rebellion and conformity within the framework of class, ambition, and societal structures.
It challenges the notion that rebellion is solely destructive, framing it instead as an expression of identity and resilience.
Likewise, the act of conformity is not just an acceptance of societal expectations, but is also depicted as a survival mechanism within the constraints of the societal class.