Analysis of "The Telegram" by Iain Crichton Smith
In "The Telegram" by Iain Crichton Smith, the story unfolds in a Scottish crofting village during World War II, focusing on two women with conflicting personalities as they await news about their sons. The plot revolves around their interactions, fears, and the revelation of tragic news delivered by the village elder. The characters of the fat woman, thin woman, and the elder are crucial in portraying themes of gossip, sacrifice, and emotional depth. The remote setting adds to the tense atmosphere. The story culminates in a poignant realization about coping with loss and the weight of difficult truths.
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The Telegram BY IAIN CRICHTON SMITH HIGHER
Iain Crichton Smith He was born in Glasgow, but moved to the Isle of Lewis at the age of two He and his two brothers were brought up by their widowed mother in a small crofting town He went to student English at the University of Aberdeen He served in the National Service Army Education Corps, then went on to become a teacher in 1952 In 1977 he retired to become a full-time writer
Reading the story first reading Read through the story The Telegram . What happens in the story? Write a summary. Comment on: o The characters o The setting o The plot
Characters Fat woman/Sarah: born in the village, does not like the thin woman, described as stupid, large and lazy, emotional, gossip, lacks determination Thin woman: viewed as an outsider, strong, poor, sacrificed things for her son, doesn t like to show emotion, bit of a loner Elder: dressed in black, powerful, delivers the news of deaths, emotionally affected by the death of his own son
Setting Set is an unknown Scottish crofting village Set during WW2 Set in the thin woman s house as the women look out the window and watch the elder s progress through the village Remote location
Plot Two women are having tea with each other as they look out of the window and watch the elder approaching with a telegram. The two women do not like each other and this is made clear through their conversation where they criticise each other. Both women are becoming increasingly worried that their son is dead, but deal with this fear is very different ways At the end it is clear the elder s son was dead and that he just kept walking away from the village because he couldn t face telling his ill wife.
Reading the story Language Read through the story The Telegram . Underline any words that you don t understand Look up their meaning and write this in the jotter or on the story
Reading the story Language Read through the story The Telegram . Highlight any words/imagery that describe the following things Characters Setting Feelings
Clues that the story takes place during WWII The Telegram Bismark Reverberations from a war fought far away had reached it However, the themes/issues raised are easily transferable to today s wars in Iraq, Afghanistan The family members or loved ones of those fighting abroad face constant anxiety and worry
Anonymity in the Telegram The fact that the village is not identified adds to the idea that War is universal in its effects This is also why the women remain nameless and why they are contrasting characters to show that War can affect anyone
The Telegram and Symbolism This was a bare village with little colour and therefore the yellow was both strange and unnatural. local elder, clad in black Represents The Grim Reaper the house to which the telegram was directed made to sound like a weapon a strange missile pointed at them from abroad & left desolation just like any other weapon continues the idea that the telegram is a weapon
Reading the story Reading the story Symbols Symbols Read through the story The Telegram . Make notes on the importance of the following symbols and how they are described Colour Telegram War/Death
Clues that it is set in a remote Scottish village The names used give the village a distinct Scottish feel unwillingly attended school only been there for thirty years The narrative reveals that the town/village is narrow-minded and insular Shows that the thin woman is treated with contempt due to the prejudice which exists in little villages like this one
The Fat Woman fat domestic bird the imagery here implies she belongs to the village, as well as conveying her physical appearance The fat woman s son was an ordinary seaman her son is less successful and poorly educated left school at the age of fourteen because she isn t driven or ambitious This is probably similar to others in the village lived in the village all her days And then she added without thinking & confused tone indicates that she is not particularly intelligent
The Thin Woman more aquiline, more gaunt more like a buzzard imagery is used here to show her frail physical appearance but also to convey the idea that she is foreign to this village the thin woman s son was a sub-lieutenant in the navy her son has achieved more than most in the village because of her ambition and sacrifice the thin woman was ambitious & not popular in the village she was an incomer not accepted even though she d been there thirty years I made sacrifices I lived on a widow s pension she shows a little anger at how she is viewed in the community and attempts to justify herself The thin woman continued remorselessly as if she were pecking away at something she had pecked at for many years. Continues the bird imagery used earlier but this time suggests that she has grown tired of the village s perception of her and will not let it continue
Their feelings toward each other: dialogue and Focalisation It s different for the officers The fat woman s dialogue shows a degree of jealousy here, as if the higher status of the thin woman s son will save him the thin woman was thinking that the fat woman was very stupid The focalisation shows the thin woman s contempt for the fat woman Most of them could have better afforded to send their sons and daughters to university but they didn t want to be thought of as snobbish. More focalisation to reveal that the thin woman knows why they dislike her but thinks that most of them are selfish
Their feelings toward each other: dialogue and Focalisation It was difficult to know what she was thinking of Her mind was vague and diffused except when she was thinking about herself. Through focalisation again, the narration here reveals that the thin woman thinks the fat woman is both selfish and stupid No matter how you tried you never could like the thin woman. She was always putting on airs. Mayor indeed. The writer continues to use focalisation effectively to reveal the fat woman s resentment toward the thin woman as she perceives her to be a snob Why did she want to be better than anyone else? The question shows that she cannot understand the thin woman s motivations There is a clear conflict between them in terms of how they see things
Their feelings toward each other: dialogue and Focalisation But the thin woman didn t gossip much. you couldn t feel at ease with her She sipped her tea, her little finger elegantly curled in an irritating way. By revealing more of the fat woman s contempt for the thin woman s attitude and mannerisms, the writer brings the tension between them to a climax
Answers 5. Colon introduces an explanation of the effects of war that the village had experienced. 1. They were like two birds 2. fat domestic bird , aquiline and buzzard 3. Fat woman fat, home-loving, nosey Thin woman thin, ill- looking, nosey 4. Reverberations- continuing effects shown by saying reached it and much had gone on 6. The young men had joined the navy and many of them had drowned abroad. 7. WW2 it mentions the Bismarck which was famous during this period and says war fought far away which fits in with the locations in WW2.
Answers 11. Metaphor - it was a weapon , describing the telegram as a damaging aspect of war 8. Word order ending in did not know further emphasises the remoteness of the village, futility of the loss of their sons, far removed from the war 12. This extended metaphor is continued throughout the paragraph, illustrates that the women blame to telegram, news of the deaths wound them, shoot the messenger 9. Metaphor compares war to a plague, shows that it affected all families in the village, widespread death, unable to stop it, unable to understand it 10. Colour of death/mourning which links to his delivery of the news od the death of sons/creates an appearance like the grim reaper 13. Fat woman s son: ordinary seaman, had to salute thin woman s son, left school at 14 Thin woman s son: officer, higher rank, went to university, more pay
Answers 14. It is a village, remote, cows are wandering about, it is a small place, not busy, not many people 17. Speaking quickly, trying to disguise their feelings of nerves/fear, feeling unwell at the thought their sons could be dead. 15. Thin woman: outsider, widow, ambitious, sent son to university. Fat woman: native, dislikes the thin woman 18. To guarantee the safety of her own son and save her family from heartbreak 19. Repetition/symbolism/metaphor suggests that she has to constantly repeat her justifications for her behaviour to chip away at the women s prejudice. 16. Telegram is yellow, it stands out in the village because everything else is quite dull, seems unnatural
Answers 20. Lack of control, speed, desperation, no pause, frantic prayer feel sympathy and understand her emotions 23. Fat woman sees the truth of the thin woman, sees her vulnerability and realises she has had a hard life. 21. Simile compares her touch to beginning of a relationship, kind act, first time she has experienced kindness from her, potential for close relationship 24. Repetition of she saw and mention of extra vision emphasise that it is like the first time she is seeing the real her. 25. Elder walked alone without knowing where he was going, tried to escape the truth. not knowing where he was going , search of his son etc show he is confused 22. Fat woman: pray, cries, hysterical, emotional. Thin woman: firm voice, hides emotions, holds herself together, strong.
Themes Themes The themes of any text are important to understand it fully. For each of those 4 themes list quotations and events from the story that in your opinion link to this theme. The main themes of The Telegram are: 1. Death/War 2. Relationships 3. Isolation 4. Conflict Also if you identify any other themes you can add them to your notes
Analysing a quotation Analysing a quotation 1. Look for any techniques (similes, metaphor, alliteration etc. ) 2. Explain what the writer tells us in this quotation 3. Describe how it is important 4. Pick out any specific words from the quotation that stand out and explain what they mean 5. Be as detailed as possible
Analysing a quotation example Analysing a quotation example It came on them as a strange plague The metaphor compares the war to a disease epidemic. Just as a plague is a contagious disease which usually causes widespread death so too the war is causing death for a large number of families in the village and gives the illusion of spreading throughout the village and failing to leave a family untouched. Also the word choice of strange suggests that this war is unusual and indescribable for the families of the village and something that is not compatible with their normal, peaceful way of life. Therefore, this quotation is significant because it illustrates that even though this village is remote and cut off from the world and did not expect to feel the impact of the war; this disaster is defying expectations and having a significant and widespread negative impact as it causes an unstoppable wave of death spreading throughout the village and causing increasing fatalities.
Analysing a quotation Analysing a quotation as if she were pecking away at something she had pecked at for many years metaphor, word choice, repetition 1. 2. O God save my son O God save my son O God save my son punctuation, word choice, repetition 3. It was like first love simile, word choice 4. it was as if she had an extra vision word choice, metaphor 5. Walking like a man in a daze simile, word choice, use of verb 6. a somnambulistic wandering word choice x2 7. strange missile pointed at them from abroad metaphor, word choice, use of verb 8. It picked a door and entered it, and left desolation sentence structure, word choice 9. her lips pressed together, White and bloodless word choice, word order
Essay writing What is the title asking you to do? What initial thoughts do you have about how The Telegram shows this? What evidence could you use to back up your ideas?
How to Write a Higher Critical Essay G. SCOTT - CHS
Know your stuff Have a clear understanding of your main texts. Choose two you are confident in and use the third as a back up. If you know your texts you should be able to quote the important parts. Memorise at least 10 quotes per text! You may not use this many in your final essay but you need the flexibility. G. SCOTT - CHS
Choose the correct question Know the main themes of your text and the motivations / actions of your main characters. Read all the questions and highlight possible choices before deciding on which one to do. G. SCOTT - CHS
Plan Yes plan! Create a quick and simple plan explaining what your essay will look like. Don t go into unnecessary detail. Take the time to collect your thoughts and select relevant information. This will help you in answering the question. G. SCOTT - CHS
Answering the Question This is where we lost marks in the Prelim. Think of it like this: you are answering a question in the form of an essay. You are not just writing an essay! Read all of the question, not just the first sentence. You are answering the full thing! G. SCOTT - CHS
Answering the Question 2 Refer to the question in your introduction to show the marker you mean business. In each paragraph / section refer to the question topic sentence & linking sentence. Refer back to the question in your conclusion again to end on a high. If you don t answer the question you will get a 9 no matter how good your essay is! G. SCOTT - CHS
Introduction Identify the text and author Use words from the beginning of the question and explain why the text is suitable for the question. Include a couple of sentences that summarise the text this should relate to the theme and the question, not the main events. Refer to the words from the second part of the question and explain what the essay will look at to fulfil the task and answer the question. G. SCOTT - CHS
Example ''Nineteen Eighty Four'' by George Orwell is a novel which makes use of symbolism. The story follows Winston, the main character who lives in a dystopian society and wants to stand up to the totalitarian government named The Party to re-gain individual freedom. Orwell skilful use of symbolism along with theme, setting and characterisation helps express his opinion and enhance the reader s appreciation of the text as a whole. G. SCOTT - CHS
Main body of your Essay Your answer should be split into paragraphs and should follow the following pattern: Point Evidence Analysis Relate to question G. SCOTT - CHS
Topic Sentences The first sentence of each paragraph should make it clear to the marker what your paragraph will be about. Example 1 The prologue of Romeo and Juliet introduces the theme of fate. Example 2 The opening scene of Macbeth establishes an atmosphere of mystery and evil, which is developed in the rest of the play. G. SCOTT - CHS
Providing Evidence You must use quotations. They are the evidence you are using to back up your answer. Without strong quotations you do not have a strong answer. You should use one main quotation per paragraph but, for top marks, you can include smaller additional quotes if they help further back up your point. G. SCOTT - CHS
Comment / Analysis Explain what quote means and how it answers the question Look at individual words and phrases which further improve your argument Look at how this quote relates to the theme You should know what you plan on saying about your quotations. As you have learned them thoroughly you know why they are important to your text and what they show. Explain this to the marker. Remember to relate your analysis back to the question! This is essential. G. SCOTT - CHS
Statement, Context and Evidence In addition, Orwell uses the paperweight, bought by Winston in the novel, to symbolise the importance of hope. Winston likes the fact that the paperweight, useless in a world without paper and books, is proof of a past much different to the present. It represents Winston s utopia away from the dystopian society in which he now lives. He dreams of a future as simple as this object and describes it as: The room he was in, and the coral was Julia's life and his own, fixed in a sort of eternity at the heart of the crystal'' G. SCOTT - CHS
Analysis Winston sees this object as symbolically representing a safe place for himself and Julia where they can be free from the party s totalitarian society. He believes that they both belong in the past where they could express their opinions and have individual freedom. Winston is also taking a big risk by keeping the paperweight and this shows his rebellious streak. The use of the word eternity highlights Winston s desire to be with Julia forever which shows his love and devotion towards her. However, at the end of Part Two the paperweight is smashed by members of the Party who have found Winston and Julia s secret hiding place. This symbolises the fact that an all-powerful, totalitarian government can never be defeated. When the paperweight smashes so do Winston s hopes and dreams. The reader realises that once a group have managed to get complete control of you there is no way to defeat them. This reinforces Orwell s message that we must ensure we remain vigilant in terms of knowing the people ruling over us and not allow those who govern us to have unlimited control over us. G. SCOTT - CHS
Linking One of the main reason your should plan your essay is so that it flows nicely. Go from one idea to another similar one so it is easy for the marker to follow. Use a linking sentence to build bridges between your ideas. Use knowledge of linking questions from close reading to help here. G. SCOTT - CHS
Link words / Linking Expressions Continuing an idea In addition Moreover Furthermore In the same way Similarly Making a different point However Nevertheless On the other hand In contrast G. SCOTT - CHS
Link words / Linking Expressions Drawing a conclusion Therefore Consequently As a result of this Thus In sum However, only use these at the start of a new sentence! G. SCOTT - CHS
Conclusion Your conclusion should: Follow on logically from what has been said Refer back to the question Sum up the main points in the essay. G. SCOTT - CHS
Spelling and punctuation This is very important. One of the main areas you are marked on is technical accuracy. If you continually spell words incorrectly or miss apostrophes you will lose marks. If you are unsure of how to use a specific punctuation mark learn before you go in. Ask a member of the English Department if you are stuck. If there are difficult words you know you will use in your essay learn them before going in. If you are in the exam and can t think of how to spell a word, don t use it. G. SCOTT - CHS
Critical Essay Focus Choose a prose work (fiction or non-fiction) in which setting is an important feature. Explain how the writer creates setting, and go on to show how this feature contributes to your understanding of the text as a whole. Signpost Need to weave a description of the setting throughout Question Need to relate setting to how the theme is revealed/ developed
Further Critical Essay Questions P&N 2014/15 Choose a novel or short story in which there is a troubled or uneasy relationship between two central characters. Explain the reason(s) for the state of the relationship and discuss how this adds to your understanding of the central concern(s) of the text.
Further Critical Essay Questions P&N 2016/17 Choose a novel or short story which explores an important social or moral or political issue. Explain, with reference to appropriate techniques, how the writer uses features such as character, incident, setting, structure to explore this issue.
Further Critical Essay Questions SQA 2017 Choose a novel or short story which has an effective opening or conclusion. With reference to appropriate techniques, explain why the opening or conclusion is effective and discuss how it adds to your appreciation of the text as a whole.
