The Telegram: "The Realisation"

The Telegram: “The Realisation” Overview

  • “The Telegram” is a short story by Iain Crichton Smith that explores the range of emotions experienced by a woman after receiving a war telegram informing her about the death of her son.
  • The woman is a single parent who has lost her only child, and her world has been torn apart.
  • The main themes of the story are grief, fear, and isolation.

Key Points in ‘The Realisation’

  • During the course of the story, a switch occurs in the woman’s outlook. This moment is known as “The Realisation”.
  • Initially, the woman feels completely bereft and unable to comprehend her son’s death.
  • As the story progresses, she gradually becomes aware that, although her son is gone, life must continue and therefore, she needs to find the strength to carry on.
  • This transition is a crucial point in the story and represents a common human response to grief.

Important Narrative Techniques

  • The story is narrated in third-person omniscient viewpoint, which allows the reader to understand the woman’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
  • The use of figurative language, such as parable-like comparisons, gives depth to the woman’s emotions and emphasises the universality of her situation.

Exploration of Themes

  • The theme of grief is explored in depth as the woman navigates her deep sadness and shock over her son’s death.
  • The theme of fear materialises in the anxiety of opening the telegram and confronting the reality of loss.
  • The theme of isolation is connected to the bitter loneliness the woman experiences after the death of her son and her decision to continue living in spite of that.

Characterisation

  • The woman is portrayed as an ordinary character with relatable human emotions and reactions.
  • Despite her grief, she is resilient, accepting the harsh realities of life and resolving to endure.
  • One of the key character developments, The Realisation, signals a shift in her from a grieving mother to a woman who makes the decision to survive.

Plot Structure

  • The story follows a straightforward chronology.
  • Beginning with a sense of foreboding, the reader is taken through the woman’s varying emotions as she grapples with her loss.
  • The final scene is significant as it captures the moment of “The Realisation” where she decides to continue with life, symbolising hope amidst despair.