The Telegram: Character: Sarah

Overview

“The Telegram” is a poignant short story written by Iain Crichton Smith.
The character in focus is Sarah, a young girl deeply affected by the devastating impact of World War II on her community.

Sarah: The protagonist and main character of the story, represented as an innocent young girl.

Intuitive: Despite her young age, Sarah could already tell from the arrival of a telegram that it was bad news, even without needing to read the message.
Empathetic: Sarah’s deep emotional reaction to the telegram shows her ability to empathise and feel for others deeply.
Innocent: Her unusual reaction to the telegram — laughter out of fear, serves to indicate her childlike innocence, further accentuating the tragedy of war.
Mature: Despite her adolescence, her understanding of the implications of the telegram and her handling of the situation reflect her maturity.

Represents innocence and youth, affected by the harsh realities of war. This effectively amplifies the tragic impact of war, making it more relatable to a wider audience.

Changes in her interactions with other characters, particularly her abrupt change from playfulness to seriousness, signify a loss of childhood innocence.

The moment she receives the telegram and processes its connotations signifies her understanding of the reality and challenges of adult life.

Sarah’s character in ‘The Telegram’ serves to highlight the tragic side of war, illustrating the immense impact and pain it brings on those left behind.