The Eye of the Hurricane: Theme: Community and Outsiders

Overview:

“The Eye of the Hurricane” by George Mackay Brown is a striking narrative that delves into the aspects of community interactions and the role of outsiders in a rural setting. This revision resource focuses on the theme of Community and Outsiders as illustrated in the narrative.

Understanding the Theme: Community and Outsiders:

The entire narrative revolves around the dynamics of insular, tight-knit communities and the influence of outsiders on their ethos.
The theme becomes evident when the protagonist – an external entity – disrupts the equilibrium of the village lifestyle.

Key Elements of the Community and Outsiders Theme:

The protagonist’s arrival represents an intrusion of foreign influence in the homogeneous realm of the villagers, marking the theme’s onset.
The villagers’ suspicion towards the external entity, their reluctance to accept change, and resistance towards unknown influences establish the contrast between insiders and outsiders.
As the protagonist’s presence begins to subtly affect the villagers’ lifestyle and perceptions, the narrative exhibits an interplay of community dynamics and outsider influences.

Quotes and Analysis:

“The stranger had come into the heart of the village like a cold wind.” Here, the outsider’s presence is equated with a cold wind, highlighting the initial discomfort and disruption he brings into the community.
“His laughter and his stories slowly thawed their suspicion.” As the protagonist begins to impact the villagers’ perceptions, the narrative exhibits the potential of outsiders to influence and change insular communities.

Character Analysis:

The Protagonist:

As an outsider, his arrival and actions stir the tranquil village life, marking him as the influencer of the community and outsiders theme.
His dynamic character highlights the potential for change, creating a ripple effect in the steady stream of village life.

Villagers:

The villagers’ reactions towards the outsider, ranging from suspicion to acceptance, underscore their role in the community and outsiders theme.
They exist as adherents to tradition, living a life untouched by external influences, until the stranger’s arrival forces them to reassess their attitudes.

Techniques and Effects:

George Mackay Brown delicately uses irony to underscore the impact of an outsider on a closed community.
He uses symbolism, with the protagonist symbolising the external world and its influences disrupting the community’s harmony.
Through evocative description, the author captures the initial resistance and gradual acceptance of the outsider, underlining the theme via character development.