Andrina: "Conclusions"
Andrina: “Conclusions”
Overview:
- “Andrina” is a short story from George Mackay Brown’s collection, “A Time to Keep”.
- The story explores themes of loneliness, love, and death through the relationship between an old man and a mysterious girl.
Narrative and Development:
- The story is set on the desolate Orkney Island and delves into the solitary life of an old man whose only company is a mystical girl, Andrina.
- The man’s increasing dependence on Andrina and his unraveling health parallel the harsh winter season, resulting in a climactic revelation about Andrina’s actual identity.
Quotes and Analysis:
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“In the darkness, I felt that Andrina was an angel…” – This quote indicates the man’s profound emotional bond with Andrina, seeing her almost as his guardian angel.
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“Only an old man, now, huddled over a peat fire…” – The use of the word “huddled” depicts the man’s loneliness and vulnerability, amplified by the stark environment.
Impact of Setting and Characters:
- The isolated setting of the Orkney Island mirrors the loneliness of the man.
- Andrina serves as a beacon of hope and companionship in his life, manifesting a sense of fantasy or supernatural element in the narrative.
Themes and Interpretations:
- The central themes of loneliness, illusions, transience of life, and comfort in death are explored through the evolving relationship between the man and Andrina.
- The story prompts reflections on human existence, death, and the intersection of reality and the supernatural.
Significance of the Ending:
- Andrina’s revelation at the end of the story – as a figment of the man’s mind – introduces an element of tragic surprise.
- This twist changes the perceived narrative of companionship to one of the old man’s longing and coping mechanism in face of solitude and impending death.
Language and Style:
- Mackay Brown’s descriptive language enhances the bleak setting, bringing the harsh landscape and the man’s desolation alive.
- His blending of reality with elements of fantasy adds depth to the narrative, making “Andrina” a poignant exploration of human life and loneliness.