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.

The Telegram: Characters and Setting

"The Telegram" by Iain Crichton Smith introduces us to a cast of characters in a small rural village during World War II. The story primarily focuses on three main characters: the thin woman, the fat woman, and Elder Macleod.

The thin woman is described as an unpopular widow with high ambitions for her son. She is characterized as "more aquiline, more gaunt, or to be precise, more like a buzzard". This description gives us insight into her determined and goal-oriented nature.

Highlight: The thin woman's son is a sublieutenant in the navy, reflecting her ambition and sacrifice to send him to university.

In contrast, the fat woman is portrayed as a native of the village who lacks ambition and is reluctant to make sacrifices for her son. She is described as a "fat domestic bird", suggesting a home-loving nature and a life that serves little purpose beyond the domestic sphere.

Quote: "The fat woman's son was an ordinary seaman."

Elder Macleod is introduced as the village's bearer of bad news, delivering telegrams to families who have lost loved ones in the war. He is described as a "tall man in black clothes", evoking an image of the grim reaper.

Vocabulary: Sublieutenant - A junior commissioned officer in the navy, ranking above midshipman but below lieutenant.

The setting of the story is crucial to understanding the dynamics between the characters and the impact of war on small communities. The rural village serves as a microcosm of society, highlighting the social divisions and shared fears that exist even in close-knit communities.