The Telegram: Plot and Themes
The plot of "The Telegram" unfolds as the two women, despite their differences, find themselves united in their fear for their sons' lives. As they drink tea and gaze out of the window, they spot Elder Macleod approaching with a telegram in hand.
The tension builds as the Elder passes by everyone else's homes, leaving the women to wonder whose son has fallen victim to the war. This shared anxiety momentarily bridges the gap between the thin and fat woman, highlighting how the fear of loss can transcend social boundaries.
Example: The women's anxiety is palpable as they watch the Elder's progress through the village, each hoping the telegram is not for them.
One of the primary themes in the story is conflict, both external and internal. The personal conflict between the women is evident in their inability to form a friendship despite their shared circumstances.
Quote: "No matter how hard you tried, you could never like the thin woman."
This quote, using free indirect speech, reveals the fat woman's judgments and the underlying class tensions between them.
The theme of social class is also prominent, illustrated by the different ranks of their sons in the navy and the contrasting attitudes towards education and ambition.
Highlight: The thin woman's sacrifices to send her son to university are viewed with suspicion by the village, highlighting the clash between ambition and traditional rural values.
The story also explores the insular nature of rural life, using animal imagery to emphasize the contrasts between characters.
Quote: "They were like two birds, one a fat domestic bird, the other more aquiline, more gaunt, or to be precise, more like a buzzard."
This imagery not only accentuates the differences between the women but also ties into the broader theme of the unpredictability of life and the universal impact of war.
