Money is an issue for Daisy and Rafe. She is anxious about the house keeping being up to standards so that his mind will be at one piece. Daisy then asks Florence, ‘what are six pounds seventeen and nine pence-ha’penny and four pounds nine and ten pence-ha’penny?’
Florence replies, ‘Eleven pounds seven and eight pence.’ She compliments Florence saying that she’s got “her father’s head for sums.” Meaning that he was a clever person. Their conversation is implying that Rafe is a perfectionist that everything has to be smooth and accurate. By her total count she is one pound short, therefore borrowing off Florence makes up the full amount, even though Florence disapproved.
Betsy Jane’s attitude towards Daisy shows Rafe exerting his dominance on the Crompton household. Betsy Jane is in need of money to help her pay the T.V man. She asks Daisy for money and gets rejected as Daisy says he has this obsession about keeping accounts straight. . This causes conflict and tells us in her opinion of Rafe. She also shows us Rafe from the neighbour’s view. She thinks that he dominates the household and not everyone is as important as himself. She also express her feelings even more when she says that she is more independent than Daisy and he doesn’t give her any freedom. Daisy is shocked when she finds out her neighbour’s gossip about him behind her back. They are jealous. They envy their home and don’t like to see anybody better off than themselves. It tells us that Rafe is respected but not liked.
Harold’s attitude towards his father is despicable and inconsiderate of his feelings. Though his father may seem rough there is no need for him to jeopardise his relationship with Rafe if he were to get caught backbiting. It may also seem that Harold is turning out like his father; ‘Start frying them herrings’. Harold’s order justifies the conflict between himself and Rafe and the tension in the surroundings. It feels like Rafe is no importance to him. He refers to Rafe as ‘Old man’ he is trying to imply that he has no power and control, which he does. Harold shows hardly any respect to Rafe, as he is a role model towards the household.
By Florence’s lights Rafe would see himself as a good father because he set his moral standards according to the Bible. She would think that if his views were coming from the good book then his judgement could not be questioned. Florence attitude towards Rafe is positive and she has an influential character toward her brothers and sister. She shows her influential role by not working in the mills like the rest but making a go of her life and becoming a teacher. As the eldest chid of the household she is setting standards that can be met if they put their mind to it. She did, that’s how she became a teacher. As Harold is rabbiting on and on about his father in a negative way Florence corrects the manner and tone spoken by Harold to his father. She despites the fact as Harold is a man he should behave like one. There is a prime example of how much she loves Rafe.
The stage direction on page 15 tells us that Rafe; ‘Solid fatherly look’, both ‘solid’ and ‘fatherly’ look are very positive words describing him. We learn that Rafe has a subtle difference. ‘There is nothing grim or stern about him’. The stage directions also describe him as a self-confident person. He plays his role as a father coolly and calm.
The social and historical settings of ‘Spring and Port Wine’ is significant because we are looking back at events that have already happened and imposing our own ideas about that time on the film. An example of a social and historical setting is about neighbours. Back in the 1960’s the neighbours of the Crompton reflects an awful lot of what life was like at the time. It was a close-knit community were everybody knew each other. They would lend money to one another and would take their opinions seriously and into close consideration. Nowadays it is uncommon for people particularly neighbours, to let their homes be a open house for all to engage in.
Another social and historical setting is about houses. Houses in the 60’s were often kept clean, spick and span they called it. It was comfortable, prosperous, well cared for by housewife’s. Most of these elements consist now but many wives are not housewives. That has changed. Many are housewives but some women prefer to work and make a decent living.
Employment was a key factor and still is. The Cromtons are a stable working force. Everyone works apart from daisy that is the housewife. Out of all the children, Florence is the most educated. Many people worked in the mills and weavers due to lack of education. Without working the household would not be in the condition it is now. Who would pay for all the bills?
The structure of the play speaks for itself. The way it is layout tells and shows you what is expected from the whole household. Rafe in particular is the main driving force in the household. His character is built up throughout the play and from build up the audience are given signs of what is expected from him. Signs of his character are portrayed through his family and what each member thinks of him. Although there are mostly negative vibes received from: Harold, Wilfred, Hilda and Betsy Jane. The other two characters daisy and Florence speak highly of him. The audience may have ideas of what kind of person he maybe, but May not be able to judge until they see for themselves.
Rafe takes up positions, particularly with the herring. That makes him appear cruel. The manner in which he treats his wife over housekeeping money would not go down well today. However his intentions were always laudable in that everything was done for the sake of his family. His behaviour at the end shows that he was kind and could be more flexible and demonstrative when he had to be. So I would say that his motives were good but like all different generations there will always be friction of some kind.
