ISA: WHO IS SHE? By Group 3 made up of 4

ISA’S CHARACTERISTICS1. Sly

2. Flirty

3. Arrogant

4. Controlling

5. Twisted

6. Disloyal

7. Manipulative

INITIAL THOUGHTS?

•Love/hate character (mostly hate)

•Very canny and street-smart, easily controls the likes of Alec, who is as clueless as Murray in English

•Alec clearly loves her, and she uses it to twist him

•Strong-spirited, doesn’t bow to anyone.

•Although a woman, she stands up for herself

•Refuses to settle into a traditional woman’s role

EVIDENCE…

At this moment in scene (Act I, Scene II) there has been some kind of accident at Alec and Isa’s flat, forcing them to move in with Maggie and John

“Ach, he was a rotten tattie lang afore I was daft enough tae get landed wi him.”

This suggests Isa is in denial and simply dismisses any involvement in turning Alec into a “rotten tattie”.

EVIDENCE CONT.

At the beginning of Act II, Scene 2, Isa is becoming fed up with Alec’s constant failure to provide the couple with riches aplenty

“If you think I’m gaun on like this a ma life, ye’ve anither think comin… If you want tae keep me, it’s time you wis makin a bit o dough again. I canna live on air.”

This suggests Isa wants to live the high life and simply sees it as a case of scurrying from man to man until she finds one who can give her this. We suspect that Peter Robb is a handsome fellow with a lot of dough.

EVIDENCE PT. III REVENGE OF THE ISA Once again, at the beginning of Act II Scene 2 Isa shows her dark side

“Love! There’s nae sich thing… No roon aboot here, onyway”

Here we discover that love and companionship are not exactly high on Isa’s list of priorities. Wealth and a ‘good time’ are nearer the top. Gold-digger?

In the middle of Act II, Scene Deux, John and Maggie argue, and Isa sees her chance..

“A women disnae love a man that’s nae a man.”

Not only does she see a chance to flirt with a real man that isn’t Peter Robb, she sees a chance to stir up trouble in the family, particularly between Maggie and John, for no apparent reason bar her own entertainment

WHAT’S ON THE MENU? ANOTHER MAN

PETER ROBB? NAH, I’LL KEEP WITHIN THE FAMILY. Once again in act II scene 2 Isa goes after John

“I’m speakin tae you and why should I no? Ye’re a man as well’s ma faither-in-law”

This is another advance towards John. Not only does she flirt with Peter Robb, she actually flirts with Alec’s own dad

CONCLUSIONS?

•Isa is arguably the most self-empowered female in the story

•No role model

•Uses men and isn’t great to the other woman, bar Jenny

•Seems like she is only married to Alec to torment him

•Ends with her pulling a runner, and Alec chasing her, planning to kill her and the fearsome Peter Robb

•Isa ‘isa’ important character, if not especially likeable