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:

  • “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.

  • “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.