To study the cultural context of “Sive” and “Children of Men” means to examine the world of each and the values and attitude of the people in these worlds. The worlds created in “Sive” and “Children of Men” are very distinct but also have many parallels. Both texts explore the concepts of family, love, fear and control.
The setting of each text was paramount in informing me about the attitudes and values of that time. Each text depicts an oppressive and controlled society. “Children of Men” is set in the year 2027, in the future, which contrasts to “Sive” which is set in the 1950’s, in the past. “Children of Men” is set in urban London in the future. On the contrary “Sive” is set in 1950’s Ireland in a very rural area. Despite their contrasting settings, both experience great problems. In “Children of Men” there is a very real fear of extinction of the human race, “Since women stopped having babies, what’s left to hope for?” This clearly shows that “Children of Men” is a highly despairing society as it faces the possibility of extinction. Correspondingly the society is “Sive” also experiences great problems, “drink yeer tay out of jam pots” This highlights the fact that there is great poverty in “Sive”. Materialistic needs drive people in this society. “Children of Men” is a very controlled society and people live in fear of the government. In parallel to this, in “Sive” it is hinted that people live in fear of the church as the church has power over the people in this society. Alfonso Cuaron and John B. Keane have created two very different worlds but both have very similar characteristics.
The protagonist in both texts is an everyman figure who rebels against his or her society in an