Nicole Flashcards
First mention of Nicole. Creates intrigue for reader (who is she?) and solidifies her as an important character.
“realising I had not thought of her for, oh, maybe two hours.”
Shows her innocence and importance to Francis as he compares her to a saint.
“The pale purity of her face reminded me of the statue of St Therese”
White symbolises innocence and purity
“her white dress a blur in the darkening evening”
Suggests something dramatic has happened. Ominous atmosphere created. Night has creepy connotations.
“They left without warning, in the middle of the night”
Confirmed he was in a relationship with her. Bittersweet because we know it didn’t last.
“Yes, she WAS my girl”
“her hand in mine”
Romanticised way of saying she has a sweaty forehead. Shows Francis’ infatuation.
“drops of perspiration on her forehead like raindrops on white porcelain”
Shift in how Francis perceives her. More matured attraction and less imaginative and fairytale-like.
“She didn’t remind me of St Therese any more but of the girls in certain magazines”
First hint of a power imbalance and sexual undertones in her relationship with Larry.
“allowed her to slip down against his body”
“she lay at his feet”
Shows influence Larry has on Nicole. Strange how she is on a first name basis with him. Even Francis finds it strange.
“Larry says that’s what people in show business do”
“spoken off-hand”
Francis enjoys attention from Nicole after winning the table-tennis match.
“her eyes on me, shining for me”
Even more matured. Innocent intentions from Francis (contrast to how Larry treats her).
“my hand accidentally dropped and brushed her sweater and I was surprised at the softness of her breast”
She brings out the best in Francis - helps him build confidence.
“lack of pauses in our conversation”
“coaxed me into forgetting my shyness”
Has high aspirations for the future. Hopeful but creates sadness later”
“Oh, lots of things”
“Such a big world out there.”
Shows she is a good person as she is doing a good thing.
“As a volunteer now with the Monument Red Cross”
She doesn’t suspect predatory nature of Larry’s relationship with her and enjoys the attention.
“A blush turned her cheeks crimson and only added to her beauty”
She begins to suspect something and feel uneasy for the first time
“‘Stay and watch’, she said”
White represents purity. State of blouse represents it being taken away from her forcefully
“Her white blouse torn”
Repetition and pause for effect. Shows severity of Larry’s actions on her.
“I hurt. I hurt all over.”
Reinvented herself now, more matured. Wants to put her old identity behind her to separate herself from the past.
“Now her hair is cut short and combed straight”
“Her cheek-bones are more prominent”
Lost this part of herself as a result of Larry
“searching for that glimpse of mischief in her eyes”
Lasting effect of Larry shows as he is associated with colour green and now she has it on her too.
“She’s wearing a GREEN cardigan, unbuttoned, a white blouse underneath and a GREEN plaid skirt.”
Shift in Francis and Nicole’s relationship. Used to be easy for them to talk but is now awkward.
“Silence falls between us”
Francis is a reminder of the past that makes her uncomfortable
“as if she needs to distance herself from me”
Bittersweet goodbye. Shows her kindness as she could have been hostile towards him but wasn’t.
“Have a good life Francis. Be whatever will make you happy”
