1.1 Mother and Son Flashcards
Plot
John comes home from a long day of work in the fields in the pouring rain
As soon as he is in the house, tension begins between him and his mother
This is carried on throughout the story and John realises that there is no way to escape his abusive mother
Imagery
“her frail, white-clad body” with a “spiteful, bitter face” suggests she has a menacing figure
“eyes were deep and unquestioning as a child’s” suggests there may be mystery hidden behind them
Isolation/alienation
“boys going to town to enjoy themselves” suggests he is denied their life of enjoyment as he is trapped by his mother
“in a dark cave from which there was never to be any escape” suggests that he isn’t able to change the situation he is stuck in on his own
Individuality vs Conformity
“boys going to town to enjoy themselves” suggests he is an individual as he isn’t able to have fun like the other kids his age
“something had gone wrong in his childhood” suggests he is full of regret which highlights his individuality as he missed out from a young age
Setting
“daylight was hooded by thick yellow curtains” suggests the house is covered in darkness which hides the outside world
“painted a dull yellow” suggests the walls of the kitchen create a sickly atmosphere which implies it lacks warmth and comfort to live in
Conflict
“strikes his confidence dead” suggests she is abusive towards John and always puts him down
“no good in a job” suggests she is undermining his confidence by belittling his every action
“She had always looked upon him as her husband’s son” suggests she disassociates herself from her son’s perceived weakness
Grief
“boys going to town to enjoy themselves” suggests he is full of grief as he isn’t able to have fun like the other kids his age
“something had gone wrong in his childhood” suggests he is full of regret which highlights the grief he feels as he missed out from a young age
Understanding/realisation
“boys going to town to enjoy themselves” suggests he realises he is denied their life of enjoyment as he is trapped by his mother
“in a dark cave from which there was never to be any escape” suggests he understands that he isn’t able to change the situation he is stuck in
Symbol
“the fire leaping about it as if it were a soul in hell” suggests he is trapped which symbolises there is no way out of this misery
“he moved about this sea of sound” suggests the kettle is used to highlight the tension between him and his mother
