sale Flashcards
literary device: setting
“staring in dismay at the shambles about them.” (pg 42)
“then crinkling their noses for, one has to admit, it does smell..” (pg 43)
-> shows the painter’s home functions as a home and a studio. studio is in a state of decay. art piece are scattered everywhere and are not shown in a favourable light. Furthermore, his studio is in a deplorable state.
impression of artist (hesitant)
“he stands on the other side of the door, in the dusk-mottled room, fingering an unshaven chin and dropping cigarette butts on the floor which is already littered with them” (pg 41)
-> shows that he is aware that there ere potential buyers who may be interested in his paintings, his actions shows that he does not seem to be enthusiastic about the possibility to sell his paintings. he is apprehensive to let them into his studio.
impression of artist (judgemental)
“the artist watches them, wondering at the imbecility of their appearance as they huddle together and gape.” (pg 42)
-> artist quick to judge visitors. to him, they appear foolish as they group together and stare awkwardly at artist’s studio
“she is so artless, so completely without any vestige of imagination, and so completely unlike his wife.” (pg 44)
-> quick to make comments on the lady visitor as he judges her lack of artistic talents and also how she is not as creative as him even though she paints herself.
impression of the artist (talented/ imaginative)
“ ‘you are a magician,’ says the quiet man, shaking his head and turning to a crayon drawing of pale birds delicately stalking the shallows of a brooding sea.”
“look at these - i can’t believe you haven’t actually painted them on the spot.” (pg45)
the artist is clearly creative and impresses his potential buyers with his artwork and his ability to create beautiful landscapes and blend colours. even though, he has not seen much, he uses his imagination to create beautiful paintings. Furthermore, the quiet man compliments his exceptional ability to paint
feelings of artist (sadness/disappointment)
“ ‘i don’t paint figures,’ he says shortly. ‘you told me you wanted a landscape. Here they are — all sizes, big, small, medium; hills, seas, rivers; green, blue, yellow. Is there nothing you like?’ “ (pg 47)
-> tries his best to accommodate to their needs but when he is unable to sell the paintings, he feels disheartened. the ending scene is a heart wrenching one for the protagonist and his wife as he lets the visitors go.
feelings of artist (desperate)
“ ‘i am in the mood now,’ he cries. ‘I am always in the mood, don’t you see? Tomorrow, tomorrow i will have it ready. i will bring it to your house. give me the address!’ “
-> wants to make money to support his family and is willing to do the artwork as soon as possible just to finally earn some income.
impressions of the visitors/ potential buyers
irritated. “there they are, at the door now, banging. he hears their voices - querulous, impatient” (pg 41)
->the two man and the lady wait impatiently for the artist to open the door. As they wait they complain and seem annoyed that he would not let them in and bang the door incessantly.
impressions of the lady/ wife
enthusiastic/ curious
“ ‘how wonderful to be able to imagine such forms, such colours. Look, Ram, aren’t they pretty?’ ” (pig 43)
“ ‘But how did you get this colour? You must tell me because i paint — and i could never get anything like this. What is it?’ “ (pg 43)
-> the lady is impressed with the artist’s works and creative talents. she praises his artistic abilities and talent. she is also curious and earnest as she wants the artist to teach her as she is an artist herself.
themes: loss of hope in life
“ ‘And will you give me an advance?’ he asks tensely. ‘I need money, my friend. Can you give me an advance?’ “
-> The sense of loss is seen when the artist is unable to sell any of his paintings to the buyers. He attempts to beg them as they leave his home but his efforts are futile and ends up with nothing. He looses all the hope that he had earlier on in the story and also loses hope in life as he ends up with nothing.
theme: family pressure
“he looks at them, holding his breath till it begins to hurt his chest.” (pg41)
-the artist is the sole bread winner of his family.
- he has a wife and a child to look after and the pressures of supporting his family is entirely on his shoulders
- obvious that he is from a lower class.
“ is worried, worried to death…”
“ ‘ and will you give me an advance?’ he asks tensely, ‘i need money, my friend. can you give me an advance?’ “
- wife is concerned about whether they will sell the painting as the family is in desperate need for money.
- he begs them to purchase a painting and to be paid beforehand because he needs the money to provide for his family.
themes: isolation and suffering
“he has had nothing but tea and cigarettes since early that morning”
-> shows that artist is decaying as an individual. he pushes ans strains himself to sell the paintings but in the process, he finds himself feeling tired.
-> he is alone in his task to sell the paintings and provide for his family.
-> the fact that he only drinks tea shows how his body is suffering from all the stress he faces
literary device: similes
“she sees him then, immediately at the door, like a dog hanging about, wanting something…” (pg 42)
- painter is aware that his potential buyers have arrived, yet he is reluctant to let them in
“his face looking like a house from which ghosts had driven away all inhabitants.” (pg42)
-when he lets them in, he appears frightened. it is almost as if he is in a state of decay.
literary device: external conflict
conflict with wife
“ ‘can’t you answer the door?’ she cries. ‘what’s the matter with you? It must be them — this is your chance. ‘ “
-conflicts with wife is evident when she shows her anger towards him for not opening the door to potential buyers.
-when she snaps at him, can see that tension between them rises and surprises the child. reminder to him that this is the moment to earn money for the family
literary device: imagery
“the rags and grime of the studio are soon almost obliterated by the fanfare of colour that spills forth, a crazy whorl of them, unknown colours that cannot be named, spilling out of forms that cannot be identified.”
- setting is vivid
- entire studio is in a state of decay but the colours that the artist paints seems to overtake the studio
- the artist does not seem to understand any art forms or techniques, he simply follows his imagination
similarities between sale and private tuition by Mr Bose
- both protagonists are fighting to survive and make ends meet for their family
- male characters who are sole bread winners and are expected/pressure to provide for their family
- clash between family and work. there is no separation between work and family life.
