The Telegram

Characters-Sarah

Description:

• Sarah is a character in "The Telegram," depicted as a fat, domestic woman living in a small Scottish rural community during World War Two.
• She embodies narrow-minded and insular attitudes often associated with such rural Highland villages.

Attitudes and Prejudices:

• Sarah's character reflects the village's intolerance of others, highlighting the tendency to focus on differences rather than commonalities.
• She resents the thin woman, whom she considers an outsider and a snob, despite both living in the village for decades.

Discontent and Resentment:

• Sarah's discontentment is evident in her lack of ambition and her perpetuation of an unfulfilling way of life.
• She holds petty grievances against the thin woman, particularly because the thin woman's son has achieved a higher social and military status than her own son, who is just an ordinary seaman.

Moment of Empathy:

• Sarah's character experiences a significant transformation in the story when she believes the thin woman's son has died.
• Her resentment and prejudice dissolve, and she feels profound empathy for her neighbour.
• This moment of clarity exposes the years of sacrifice endured by the thin woman and strips away Sarah's layers of prejudice and intolerance.

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Short Stories

Symbolism:

• Sarah is described as a "fat domestic bird," symbolising her lack of ambition and the confined life she leads.
• Her character represents the potential for change and progression in a small-minded and claustrophobic community.

Themes:

• Sarah's character contributes to the exploration of themes such as sacrifice, empathy, and the tendency to focus on differences rather than commonalities within a community.

Contrast with the Thin Woman:

• Sarah's character is juxtaposed with the thin woman, highlighting the sacrifices the thin woman made to provide a better life for her son, who is a sub-lieutenant.
• This contrast leads to resentment and tension between the two characters.