A Time to Keep: Section Twelve

Overview:

“A Time to Keep: Section Twelve” is one of the most profound stories in George Mackay Brown’s anthology.
This short tale takes the readers on a pensive exploration of life, love, longing, and mortality, set in the elemental landscapes of Orkney.

Characterisation and Conflict:

Brown creates vivid and relatable characters, bestowing them with genuine human emotions and experiences.
The inner conflict within the protagonist, lodged between fatherly love and the disquieting thought of his hidden secret, adds substantial depth to the narrative.

Deployment of Symbolism:

Symbolism is fundamental in this story. Brown uses it elegantly, subtly embedding symbolic elements in the narrative.
The sea becomes a symbol of the inexorable passage of time, while the protagonist’s wife embodies a form of ethereal love that transcends mortality.

Mackay Brown’s Usage of Metaphors and Similes:

Similes and metaphors allow Brown to embellish his undecorated style, invoking vivid imagery without overly complicating the language.
For instance, comparing the incessant sea waves to a heartbeat or a clock’s ticking enriches the metaphorical representation of time in the narrative.

Language and Dialogue:

Brown utilises simple yet evocative language, augmenting the story’s authentic and raw texture. It instils a sense of genuineness to the characters and their emotions.
The dialogues, although sparse, are poignant and meaningful, further emphasising the story’s emotionally charged undertones.

Quotable Quotes for Analysis:

“The dark sea ran into silence” encapsulates a moment of tranquillity and despair and represents the protagonist’s inner turmoil and his struggle with loneliness and the fear of death.
“She seemed nearer to him, these days, than people with warm flesh and blood.” This quote significantly captures the depth of the protagonist’s longing for his deceased wife and his wrestling with the complex feelings of guilt, love and longing.

Remember that the story capitalises on the power of understated language to convey challenging themes. It showcases how ordinary people grapple with extraordinary emotions and life’s inevitable truths.