Characters - Stefan Flashcards
” was never quite a real marriage.” (ch 11 p 229)
after an unsatisfactory marriage S returned to Germany as an adult to remake himself. But his new job, technical translator, also dull and boring (chosen by author Frayn for this reason.)
” the heir to Stephen’s thought’s “ (Ch 7 p 139)
Stefan is unwilling to recognise or acknowledge aspects of his childhood self and does not seem to be in possession of all of Stephens thoughts.
” I shouldn’t have the slightest idea what Stephen Whitely looks like if it weren’t for the snaps , or ever guess that he and I were related if it weren’t for the name written on the back.”
Stefan has less insight into his earlier motivations and thoughts than is usual for a first person narrator - often using “Stephen” and “he”
” And now, before I can sort out whether I belong here or there… my children are grown up, and we have their mother’s grave to tend each week.” (Ch11 p 230)
He may be disappointed in his life as there is a sense it has rushed past so fast and he reached old age so quickly.
” I see all kinds of things that I never saw before, wherever I look, now that the larmornas in the air” (ch8 p169)
Stephen thinks larmona reminds him of several things that evening - softeness of Barbaras dress as she leans across him, a scientific description for difference between bobbliness of her purse and shininess of button, the indoor firework smell of the match and reflection in eyes but also the softness of Mrs H voice - the pleading look. Also a distant land across the seas.
