The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith is a poignant short... Show more
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Updated Mar 31, 2026
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The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith - Summary, Quotes, and Questions PDF
Olivia Churcher
@oliviachurcher
The Telegram: Plot and Themes
The narrative of The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith unfolds as the villagers dread the arrival of a telegram, which would bring news of a son killed in the war. The women notice the elder as he walks through the village, their fear intensifying as he approaches their houses.
Quote: "came on them as a strange plague" - This metaphor emphasizes how nobody was immune from the "disease" of war, just as no one is immune to being killed in battle.
The fat woman's jealousy of the thin woman's son, who holds a higher rank than her own, is evident. This jealousy reveals the social tensions within the village and the misguided belief that rank might offer protection from the war's dangers.
Quote: "it's different for the officers" - This remark by the fat woman highlights her ignorance, as the rank of a soldier doesn't necessarily increase their chances of survival.
As the elder approaches the final two houses, it seems the telegram is meant for one of them. However, in a surprising twist, it's addressed to the elder himself, underscoring the universal nature of loss during wartime.
Quote: "a strange missile pointed at them from abroad" - This description of the telegram as a weapon highlights the fear and uncertainty, as at any point their lives may be destroyed by the news it carries, just like a missile.
The story explores several key themes:
- The impact of war on small communities
- Social dynamics and prejudices
- The universality of loss and grief
- The futility of social distinctions in the face of war
Highlight: The isolation of the community serves as a reminder that nobody is exempt from the destructiveness of war, regardless of their social status or position.
Iain Crichton Smith's masterful storytelling in The Telegram provides a poignant analysis of human nature and the effects of war on tight-knit communities, making it an essential read for those studying Scottish literature or World War II's impact on civilian life.
The Telegram: Setting and Characters
The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith is set in a small Scottish rural community during World War II. The story revolves around two main characters: a fat woman named Sarah and a thin woman, who are not friends. The village is gripped by fear as they await the potential arrival of telegrams bearing news of soldiers killed in the conflict.
Highlight: The story's setting emphasizes the isolation of the community, reminding readers that no one is exempt from the destructiveness of war.
The characters are vividly portrayed:
-
The fat woman (Sarah): She represents narrow-minded attitudes and is described as a domestic bird, highlighting her visible hatred towards the thin woman. However, she shows empathy when she believes the thin woman's son has died.
-
The thin woman: A widow who has made sacrifices to improve her son's life. She is rude to other villagers and aspires to live a refined life.
-
Macleod: The church elder who volunteers to deliver telegrams, emphasizing the church's influence in the village.
Quote: "She was an incomer" - This description of the thin woman suggests she is seen as destructive and unknown, revealing the small-minded nature of the town and the fat woman's prejudiced attitude.
The story explores themes of sacrifice, with the thin woman's efforts to secure a better life for her son highlighting the often pointless nature of such sacrifices in the face of war.
Vocabulary: Incomer - A person who has come to live in an area from somewhere else, often viewed with suspicion by established residents.
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Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith - Summary, Quotes, and Questions PDF
Olivia Churcher
@oliviachurcher
The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith is a poignant short story set in a small Scottish village during World War II. It explores themes of fear, jealousy, and the impact of war on a tight-knit community.
- The narrative revolves around... Show more
The Telegram: Plot and Themes
The narrative of The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith unfolds as the villagers dread the arrival of a telegram, which would bring news of a son killed in the war. The women notice the elder as he walks through the village, their fear intensifying as he approaches their houses.
Quote: "came on them as a strange plague" - This metaphor emphasizes how nobody was immune from the "disease" of war, just as no one is immune to being killed in battle.
The fat woman's jealousy of the thin woman's son, who holds a higher rank than her own, is evident. This jealousy reveals the social tensions within the village and the misguided belief that rank might offer protection from the war's dangers.
Quote: "it's different for the officers" - This remark by the fat woman highlights her ignorance, as the rank of a soldier doesn't necessarily increase their chances of survival.
As the elder approaches the final two houses, it seems the telegram is meant for one of them. However, in a surprising twist, it's addressed to the elder himself, underscoring the universal nature of loss during wartime.
Quote: "a strange missile pointed at them from abroad" - This description of the telegram as a weapon highlights the fear and uncertainty, as at any point their lives may be destroyed by the news it carries, just like a missile.
The story explores several key themes:
- The impact of war on small communities
- Social dynamics and prejudices
- The universality of loss and grief
- The futility of social distinctions in the face of war
Highlight: The isolation of the community serves as a reminder that nobody is exempt from the destructiveness of war, regardless of their social status or position.
Iain Crichton Smith's masterful storytelling in The Telegram provides a poignant analysis of human nature and the effects of war on tight-knit communities, making it an essential read for those studying Scottish literature or World War II's impact on civilian life.
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Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
The Telegram: Setting and Characters
The Telegram by Iain Crichton Smith is set in a small Scottish rural community during World War II. The story revolves around two main characters: a fat woman named Sarah and a thin woman, who are not friends. The village is gripped by fear as they await the potential arrival of telegrams bearing news of soldiers killed in the conflict.
Highlight: The story's setting emphasizes the isolation of the community, reminding readers that no one is exempt from the destructiveness of war.
The characters are vividly portrayed:
-
The fat woman (Sarah): She represents narrow-minded attitudes and is described as a domestic bird, highlighting her visible hatred towards the thin woman. However, she shows empathy when she believes the thin woman's son has died.
-
The thin woman: A widow who has made sacrifices to improve her son's life. She is rude to other villagers and aspires to live a refined life.
-
Macleod: The church elder who volunteers to deliver telegrams, emphasizing the church's influence in the village.
Quote: "She was an incomer" - This description of the thin woman suggests she is seen as destructive and unknown, revealing the small-minded nature of the town and the fat woman's prejudiced attitude.
The story explores themes of sacrifice, with the thin woman's efforts to secure a better life for her son highlighting the often pointless nature of such sacrifices in the face of war.
Vocabulary: Incomer - A person who has come to live in an area from somewhere else, often viewed with suspicion by established residents.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
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4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user