The Telegram: Character: Thin Woman
The Telegram: Character: Thin Woman
Overview
- The Thin Woman is a central character in “The Telegram” by Iain Crichton Smith.
- She embodies the hardships of war, the fears and uncertainties that come with it, and individual resilience.
Character Traits
- The Thin Woman is depicted as a strong-willed, resilient character combating the harsh realities of wartime.
- Despite the grim circumstances, she exhibits a remarkable resilience and emotional strength.
- Her thinness might be symbolic of her socioeconomic status, the strains of war, or her life’s hardships.
Role in the Story
- She represents the collective anxiety of wives and mothers during wartime, aggravating the intensity of the telegram’s arrival.
- Through her, Smith portrays the face of fear, suspense, and despair attached to every telegram during war.
Relationships
- She shares a social relationship with other characters in the village, bound together by shared experience and apprehension.
- Her hypothetical relationship with her absent soldier son reveals the direct impact of war on families and personal lives.
Key Moments
- The Thin Woman’s reaction to the boy with the telegram is a significant moment, reflecting the dread attached to any communication in those times.
- The moment of reading the telegram also offers a glimpse into her vulnerability and the personal impact of war.
Symbolism
- The Thin Woman could be viewed as a symbolic figure representing all those affected by war - bearing the stress, the wait, and eventually, the heartbreaking news.
- Her thinness is a powerful symbol of the toll war takes on the home front, not just the battlefront.
Conclusion
- The Thin Woman is an embodiment of the scars of war, a testament to the strength of will in the face of adversity.
- Through her, Smith brings to life the universally shared fear of loss during war, giving voice to the silent sufferings of those at home.