Page 1: The Significance of Relationships in "The Telegram"

Iain Crichton Smith's short story "The Telegram" explores the complex relationship between two women in a rural village during World War II. The story's central focus is on how their relationship reflects broader societal issues and personal conflicts.

Smith employs various literary techniques to portray the significance of the women's relationship. The author uses vivid imagery and contrasts to establish the characters' physical and social differences.

Example: Smith describes the women as "one a fat domestic bird perhaps, the other more aquiline, more gaunt, or to be precise, more like a buzzard".

This initial characterization sets the stage for the exploration of their conflicting perspectives and social standings.

The narrative delves into the social class impact on character relationships in literature, revealing how these differences shape their interactions and perceptions of each other. The fat woman's judgmental attitude towards the thin woman is particularly noteworthy, even in moments of potential tragedy.

Highlight: Smith's use of free indirect speech allows readers to access the characters' inner thoughts, revealing their hidden judgments and resentments.

The author's use of similes further emphasizes the bitterness in their relationship. For instance, the fat woman's perception of the thin woman is described as "pecking away at something she had pecked at for many years," highlighting the long-standing nature of their conflict.

Vocabulary: Free indirect speech - A narrative technique that presents a character's thoughts or speech without quotation marks, blending it with the narrator's voice.

The story also explores themes of ambition and sacrifice, particularly through the thin woman's character. Her determination to provide her son with a university education, despite living on a widow's pension, is met with disdain and envy from the fat woman and other villagers.

Quote: "lived on a widows pension"

This quote underscores the thin woman's financial struggles and the sacrifices she makes for her son's future, adding depth to her character and the social dynamics at play.

Page 2: Narrative Techniques and Character Dynamics

Smith's narrative style in "The Telegram" plays a crucial role in deepening our understanding of the women's relationship and its significance. The author employs free indirect speech and third-person omniscient narration to provide a nuanced portrayal of the characters' inner worlds.

The use of free indirect speech allows for a complex character creation, revealing the hidden internal judgments of both women. This technique exposes the true nature of their relationship, which is far from the superficial pleasantries they might exchange over tea.

Example: The fat woman's thoughts about the thin woman: "she was always putting on airs... mayor indeed... why did she have to be better than everyone else"

This internal monologue reveals the fat woman's deep-seated resentment and jealousy towards the thin woman, even in moments when the latter is expressing genuine concern about her son.

The third-person omniscient narrative further enhances our understanding of the characters' emotional states. Smith allows readers to access the inner thoughts and feelings of both women, providing a more comprehensive view of their conflict.

Quote: "her heart was beating and she was frightened"

This quote, referring to the thin woman's anxiety as she awaits news of her son, illustrates the intense emotional turmoil experienced by both characters. It highlights how the ever-present threat of war amplifies their personal conflicts and tensions.

The narrative style employed by Smith emphasizes the symbolism in Iain Crichton Smith's The Telegram, particularly in how the women's relationship mirrors broader societal issues. Their inability to find common ground or offer genuine support to each other, even in the face of potential tragedy, symbolizes the divisive nature of social class and personal prejudices.

Highlight: The women's relationship is portrayed as counterfeit, lacking in genuine empathy or connection despite their shared circumstances.

This portrayal adds depth to the story's exploration of human nature and the impact of societal pressures on interpersonal relationships. It demonstrates how external factors, such as war and social expectations, can exacerbate existing tensions and prevent meaningful connections between individuals.

The significance of their relationship lies in its representation of broader social issues and human behavior. Through their interactions and internal monologues, Smith critiques the superficiality of social norms and the destructive nature of envy and prejudice, even in times of crisis.