Iain Chrichton Smith

Question 1

Themes - Telegram

Answer 1

• Individuality vs Conformity
  
  • Life in a small community
  • War

Question 2

Themes - Mother & Son

Answer 2

• Toxic Relationships
  
  • Isolation
  • Conforming to expectations

Question 3

Themes - Red door

Answer 3

• Individuality vs Conformity
  
  • Life in a small community
  • Change

Question 4

Themes - Home

Answer 4

• Community
  
  • Change
  • Nostalgia

Question 5

Individuality vs Conformity

Answer 5

Telegram - Thin woman shunned for not confirming.
Mother & Son - John conforms to his mother’s wishes.
Red Door - Murdo conforms to the villager’s expectations.

Question 6

Small Community

Answer 6

Home - Jackson moves on & the community changes.

Telegram - Gossipy, know everyone.

Question 7

Contrasting Characters

Answer 7

Mother & Son - Mother & Son.
Red Door - Mary and the villagers, Murdo and Mary, partly Murdo and the villagers.
Telegram - Fat & Thin women.
Home - Jackson & his wife.

Question 8

Endings

Answer 8

Telegram - Surprising, builds pity for elder.
Home - Jackson accepts no longer his home.
Red Door - Hopeful & Mysterious, language contrasts.
Mother & Son - Anti-climax, Mysterious.

Question 9

Relationships

Answer 9

Mother & Son - Toxic, Destructive.
Telegram - Fat & Thin women have more in common.
Red Door - Potential relationship with Mary.

Question 10

Conflict

Answer 10

Mother & Son - Mother’s insults vs John’s psyche.

Red Door - Murdo vs Pressure to conform.

Question 11

Change

Answer 11

Home - Community moves on.
Red Door - Ending suggests change.
Mother & Son - Ending symbolises/suggests possible way out.
Telegram - Fat woman’s attitude changes.