The Telegram

1. The Telegram Iain Crighton Smith (Iain Mac a' Ghobhainn)

2. Iain Crighton Smith • January 1, 1928 - October 15, 1998) wrote in both English and Scottish Gaelic, and a prolific author in both languages • He was born in Glasgow, but moved to the isle of Lewis at the age of two • Crichton Smith was brought up in a Scottish Gaelic speaking community, learning English as a second language once he attended school.

4. Themes • The author portrays the theme by his use of setting, plot development, character comparison and his effective surprise ending. • 3 major themes ( you are going to figure them out by the ending of the story)

5. Example

7. TaskChart • Create a chart to make note of the similarities and differences of the 2 women

8. 1. What do the two women look like? • 2. When and where does the story take place? • 3. On p.86, what is the telegram compared to? • 4. What sort of atmosphere can you feel in the village? • 5. In what way are class and social differences expressed? • 6. Study the description of the two boys. In what way are they different?

9. 7. In what way are both women different? Draw a chart to sum up all differences you can • spot (questions 5-6-7) • 8. What is in the fat woman's mind during the whole episode of the waiting to see who the • telegram is meant for? How do we enter her thoughts? Write a few quotations which • illustrate your points. • • Conclusion: • in what way is the relationship between the two women different at the end of the story? • What role has the telegram played in it?