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.