Page 1: Symbolic Elements and Character Analysis
The story's rich symbolism and characterization paint a vivid picture of the cultural and social divide. The narrative employs several key symbols to convey themes of wealth, status, and alienation in Iain Crichton Smith's short story "Home".
Highlight: Key symbols include a black polished car, fur coat, leather cases, and whiskey, each representing wealth and social status.
Quote: "The walls were brown above and dusty blue below and pitted with scars" - depicting the deteriorating condition of the tenements.
Character Analysis:
Jackson is portrayed as a complex character:
- A successful but conflicted returnee
- Struggles with identity and belonging
- Shows both sentimentality and arrogance
Quote: "He wanted to tell someone how well... how could he do that?"
Jackson's wife is characterized by:
- Disdain for her past
- Preoccupation with status
- Emotional distance from Glasgow
Quote: "His wife in furs got out more slowly. Her face had a haggard brownness like that of a desiccated gypsy"
Vocabulary: "Nyaff" - A Scottish term meaning an insignificant or irritating person
Example: The contrast between Jackson's material success (shown through his cigar, whiskey, and car) and the run-down tenements emphasizes the theme of social mobility and alienation.
The setting of Glasgow tenements serves as both a physical and metaphorical representation of the past that Jackson tries to reconcile with his present success, making this a significant piece for higher English revision and study of Iain Crichton Smith's short stories.
