War and Literature: Christon Smith's Themes
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Questions and Answers

What literary device does Christon Smith primarily use to show the effects of war on the village?

  • Personification
  • Symbolism
  • Metaphor
  • Characterization (correct)

Which description best represents the thin woman in the village as portrayed by the author?

  • Joyful and expressive with her emotions
  • Docile and passive in her behavior
  • Strong and resilient like a buzzard (correct)
  • Unmotivated and carefree like a domestic bird

What effect does the imagery of cows wandering lazily convey about the village?

  • A chaotic environment due to the war
  • A thriving and energetic community
  • A sense of depression and lifelessness (correct)
  • A peaceful and harmonious rural life

How does the depiction of the thin woman's lips contribute to the characterization?

<p>It reveals her discomfort in expressing feelings (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What overarching theme does the author convey through characterization and imagery?

<p>The resilience of the human spirit in adversity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the metaphor of the telegram as a 'strange missile' signify in the story?

<p>The random and harmful nature of news from the front (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Iain Crichton Smith depict the psychological impact of war on families?

<p>By illustrating the overwhelming confusion and distress experienced by families (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does characterisation play in the story?

<p>It helps convey the desperation and fears of the mothers and community (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What feeling does the author evoke through the description of receiving telegrams?

<p>A profound sense of confusion and disconnection (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What imagery is used to highlight the differences in character perspective on war?

<p>The likening of characters to different types of birds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the theme of the destructive effects of war in the essay?

<p>The emotional toll on families receiving bad news (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What essential message does the conclusion of the essay convey about war?

<p>War has profound human costs and emotional scars (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote 'their ships sunk in seas which they had never seen except on maps' suggest about the characters?

<p>They are distanced and alienated from the war's realities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

War's Impact on Families

War significantly harms not only soldiers but also their families, causing fear, isolation, and emotional distress.

Psychological Toll of War

War causes immense emotional and psychological suffering for those affected, often creating a sense of confusion and disconnection.

"Strange Missile" Metaphor

The telegram, carrying news of death, is compared to a missile, highlighting the destructive nature of news during war.

War's Alienation

War feels foreign and incomprehensible to those not involved directly, making it seem disconnected from daily life.

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Characterisation in 'The Telegram'

Vivid character descriptions reveal the desperation of mothers and anxieties within their community.

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Confusion & Isolation in War

Families distant from the war struggle to understand the impact, feeling confused and isolated by the events

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Neighborly Support in War

War brings neighbors closer together, even those with differing perspectives.

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Emotional Cost of War

The story highlights the deep emotional scars left by war on families and communities.

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Contrasting Women

The author uses two women, one plump and one thin, to represent different reactions to war. The thin woman represents resilience and hard work like a buzzard, while the other represents apathy and lack of drive like a chicken.

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Hidden Emotions

The thin woman in the story is shown with 'lips pressed closely together, white and bloodless', indicating a deep emotional restraint as a result of war.

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War's Impact on Landscape

Smith uses the imagery of cows 'wandering lazily' and 'little other movements' to portray the depressing and lifeless impact of war on the village's landscape.

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War's Effect on Communication

The telegram, describing the news of death, is compared to a 'strange missile', highlighting the destructive nature of communication and news in times of war.

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