The Telegram: "Conclusion"

The Telegram: “Conclusion”

Overview

  • “The Telegram: Conclusion” is the final section of the short story, “The Telegram” by Iain Crichton Smith.
  • This section deals with themes of loss, reality, isolation, and innocence.

Setting

  • The setting continues to be a remote Scottish island during World War II.
  • The constant presence of the sea further reinforces the isolation and vulnerability of the island’s inhabitants.

Characters

  • The dark girl carries the story to its climax, as she scampishly reveals the telegram’s content.
  • The telegram boy represents the unavoidable tragedy and harsh reality of war reaching the isolated community.

Themes

  • Innocence and Reality: The dark girl’s playful action of revealing the telegram’s content collides violently with the grave reality of war.
  • Loss and Isolation: The devastating news of the telegram underpins the island’s deep isolation and vulnerability in the face of war.
  • Humanity and War: The telegram, an indifferent harbinger of death and loss, reflects the cruel, impersonal nature of war.

Symbolism and Imagery

  • The telegram: Symbolises the harsh intrusion of world events into the isolated community.
  • The sea: The sea carries on being an image representative of isolation, change and the inevitability of external influences.
  • The dark girl: Her uninhibited behaviour represents the innocence and ignorance of the islanders towards the larger world.

Language and Style

  • Crichton Smith’s style remains realistic. He uses simple, straightforward language to tell a deeply tragic story.
  • Colloquial speech: The use of local dialect enhances the authenticity of more delicate events and reveals individual characters.
  • Poetic descriptions of scenery are contrasted with the bare, harsh fact of the telegram, enhancing the sense of tragedy.

Conclusion

  • “The Telegram: Conclusion” ends with a powerful portrayal of loss and the cruel realities of war impinging on the secluded, unprepared community.
  • The story continues to explore complex themes through simple, realistic storytelling, making it an effective and moving piece.