Setting (Junior Cert English): Revision Notes

Setting

Sing Street is set in Dublin, Ireland, in 1985 during an economic recession. This period is marked by high unemployment and social struggles, which impact the characters and their lives.

Dublin, 1985

"They see hope across the sea. Hope they cannot see in Ireland." - News Reporter

• Dublin in the 1980s is portrayed as a place of economic hardship and limited opportunities, driving many young people to emigrate in search of a better future.
• The setting emphasises the bleakness of Conor's reality, with its grey, drab environments reflecting the city's mood and the struggles its residents face.

Home Life

• Conor's home life is turbulent. His parents constantly argue due to financial stress. The family is forced to sacrifice, such as moving Conor to a less expensive school.
• The family home is depicted as dark and cluttered, mirroring the chaotic and oppressive atmosphere that Conor seeks to escape through his music.

School

• Synge Street CBS, the Christian Brothers school Conor attends, is a strict and harsh environment dominated by authoritarian figures like Brother Baxter. "You're a man. Men don't wear makeup." - Brother Baxter

• The school setting highlights the oppressive and conformist attitudes of the time.

• Scenes of bullying and rigid discipline contrast with the creativity and freedom Conor finds in his music.

Coastal Areas

• The coastal areas, such as Dalkey Island and Dun Laoghaire, represent places of possibility and escape. "Let's go to London. Let's start a new life." - Conor

• These settings are depicted with brighter, more vibrant lighting, symbolising hope and the allure of a better future.

• The final scenes of Conor and Raphina sailing to London from these coastal locations highlight the theme of new beginnings.