Symbolism
What does the table cloth symbolize
Shielding the child
- Misinformation & lack of transparency/understanding in the Irish community
How does Deane use the child's perspective?
- Allude to perspective of Irish citizens
- Power imbalance (adults walking around vs. child hiding)
- create a naive tone
What is the significance of meningitis being a "new illness" compared to all the other diseases?
Represents how this illness in uncharted territory - no security in understanding it the way there is with "old" illnesses
What does the sister's illness represent
helplessness
- Powerlessness in this situtation
How does Deane use diction?
- Complexity
- Poverty
- Complexity
How does the final line, "she had a great smile," shift the tone of the story?
Shifts our the audiences perspective of Una from a victim who is already being grieved to a real person is loved
What do the feet represent?
A grasp at available information
How does Deane use setting?
Why does the narrator choose to stay under the table rather than coming out?
Meant to represent his mental limitations as a child
- His natural response in the face of a traumatic moment like this
Talk about another symbol not discussed in the slide show
For example:
- The Dog
- Una's eyes
- The illness
...
How does Deane use characters?
- Try to focus on generally and not just one specific character
The recognition of family vs. the unfamiliarity of the ambulance men
- Sense of division and attempting to place people
Why does the narrator remember the specific detail about dipping putlocks in oil with uncle dan, in this moment?