The Parsons

1. The Parsons Calum and Denis

2. Mrs. Parsons • Part 1 Ch. 2 – P. 22 • ‘A colourless crushed-looking woman, with wispy hair and a line face, was standing outside.’ • ‘…was dust in the creases of her face.’ • ‘Instantly a warm wave of relief flowed through him.’

3. Kids • Part 1 Ch.2 – P.23 • ‘…as though the place had just been visited by some large violent animal.’ • ‘A handsome, tough-looking boy of nine had popped up from behind the table and was menacing him with a toy automatic pistol, while his small sister, about two years younger, made the same gesture with a fragment of wood. Both of them were dressed in the blue shorts, grey shirts and red neckerchiefs which were the uniform of the Spies.’ • '...so vicious was the boy's demeanour, that it was not altogether a game.'

4. Tom Parsons • ‘His whole appearance was that of a little boy grown large…’ • ‘His powers of sweating were enormous’ • ‘Something a bit too brainy for me, I expect.’ • Consistent

5. First Mention in the Novel • Part 1 Ch. 2 – P. 22

6. Major Themes • 1) Naivety – As shown in the dialogue in page 244 • 2) Zeal – Shown through the children (indoctrination) • 3) Gullibility- ‘thoughts about possible sentence’ • 4) Simplicity in intelligence through simplicity in language

7. Settings Associated with Characters • Homely, public places • Surrounded by both threat and advantage • Representative of the the common world

8. Last Appearance • Pg. 422-446 • Parsons it taken away by the thought-police

9. Quotations • ‘Thoughtcrime is a dreadful thing, old man,’ he said setentiously. ‘It’s insidious. It can get hold of you without your even knowing it. Do you know how it got hold of me? In my sleep! Yes, that’s a fact.’