A Time to Keep: Section One

Overview

George Mackay Brown’s “A Time to Keep: Section One” is characteristic of the author’s work with its emphasis on rural life on the Orkney Islands and the conflicts between tradition and modernity.

Setting and Time

This section takes place in Orkney, a group of small, remote islands off the coast of Scotland, and covers a period from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century.
By placing the narrative in such a time and place, the author emphasises the slower pace of life and the impact of the wider world on a small community.

Themes

Tradition vs. Modernity: This theme is evident in the rapid changes observed in the community, whether it’s societal changes such as people leaving for work or technological advancements like the arrival of electricity.
Storytelling: Just as the author is relaying the island’s history to us, several characters within the story also recount tales from their past and present, reinforcing the significance of stories in preserving history and culture.
Belief Systems: Throughout this section, different belief systems clash or cross paths, including paganism, Christianity, and superstition, shedding light on how they shape the culture of the island.

Characters

Characters such as Jock and Bella provide continuity in the narrative, with their lives demonstrating the impact of the shifting times.
Other characters like Hanse, the resident who becomes a sailor, exemplify the calling of the wider world and the impact it has on small communities.

Quotes and Analysis

“The world turned round a little quicker every day. Jock didn’t like it at all.” This directly highlights the discomfort experienced by the islanders due to the quick pace of modernisation.
“In that year, the first lamps came to Hamnavoe.” Here, the arrival of electricity symbolises the intrusion of modern technology into their traditional way of life.

Consider these points while exploring the narrative technique, themes, and characterisation in “A Time to Keep: Section One”. Understanding the Orkney setting, societal shifts, and competing belief systems will give you invaluable insights into its cultural context and the author’s thematic intent.