Andrina: "The Past"

Andrina: “The Past”

Overview:

  • “Andrina: ‘The Past’” is a short story from the anthology “A Time to Keep” by Orkney writer, George Mackay Brown.

Themes and Concepts:

Memory and Time

  • Andrina, the story’s protagonist, serves as the link between the old man’s fading past and the present, acting as a symbol of time’s inexorable passage.

Loneliness and Isolation

  • The crux of the story revolves around the inherent desolation that the old man feels, stemming from his isolation from the bustling world and his fading memories.

The Sea as a Metaphor

  • The constant mention of the sea serves as a metaphor for the old man’s life and his struggle with time.

Characterisation:

  • Andrina, the mysterious young girl who visits the protagonist, is portrayed with an ethereal quality, embodying both comfort and an uncanny sense of time and memory.
  • The old man forms the story’s beating heart, with his fading memories and aching loneliness painting a poignant image of life’s twilight phase.

Techniques Used:

Symbolism

  • Andrina herself, with her link to the sea and seeming transcendence of time, serves as a mystical symbol in the story.

Imagery

  • Mackay Brown uses sea imagery to create a vivid depiction of the old man’s experiences and his perception of time.

Flashbacks

  • The story employs flashbacks as a narrative method to explore the old man’s past and his sense of fading identity.

Quotes and Analysis:

  • “Time was no simple thing, he thought. It looped and eddied and made whirlpools.” - This quote underscores the author’s central theme of time and the old man’s struggle with his shifting perception of it.
  • “Andrina, you are the only light in my dark day.” - This is a heartfelt reflection from the old man, highlighting his dependency on Andrina and her role as his connection to the present and his past.

This succinct discussion on “Andrina: ‘The Past’” by George Mackay Brown offers a comprehensive understanding of this intricate piece. Observing these key themes, characterisations, and techniques will help in appreciating the depth of Mackay Brown’s narrative and his profound exploration of time, memory, and isolation within it.