Thwarted Ambition/Dreams and Reality

Question 1

Phil looks to Giotto as someone who rose from a humble position to achieve artistic greatness. This example of success helps Phil hold onto his dream that his ability and drive mean he can achieve anything. He has fierce ambition and prefers to focus on his dreams rather than the life he is in now

Answer 1

“Giotto was a Slab Boy!”

Question 2

Sadie shares her hopes of escape from her unhappy marriage. Sadie’s hopeful belief that she can save enough money to leave her husband and be liberated shows the importance of a dream in helping people cope with their gloomy circumstances.

Answer 2

“Soon as I’ve got a good wee bankbook I’m showing that swine the door.”

Question 3

Here, Jack accuses Phil and Spanky of crushing Hector’s dreams. He recognises the value of Hector’s limited but realistic goals.

Answer 3

“He used to come out to my desk… you soon put a stop to that… called him for everything… made his life a misery… Hector could’ve been a pretty good designer by now.”

Question 4

Jack is unimpressed with Phil’s daydreaming. Jack has worked hard to achieve his dream, no matter how unimpressive his dream seems to the other slab boys.

Answer 4

“There’s a real world out there. Some of us have to live in it.”

Question 5

Here, Spanky has accepted his fate in the slab room. He does not share Phil’s talent or ambition, and seems to accept that his only ‘dream’ will be conventional promotion to the design room.

Answer 5

“Why don’t you can it Phil? Me and the boy want to get cleared up.”

Question 6

Spanky shuts down any hope of moving up, showing how ambition just gets crushed in the Slab Room:

Answer 6

“Don’t go getting any big ideas about asking for a desk, kiddo…You’re lucky to be in a job”