CHARACTERS

Florence

Esmie

Matron

SUMMARY

The story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator. The reader finds that the writer sticks to the theme of pity and charity as Florence takes Esmie into her home out of pity. Florence cannot understand how an eighteen-year-old girl is abandoned by the Home with nothing but her personal belongings. One could say that the writer criticizes institutional life and the fact that a child can spend her early years without learning anything that would prepare her for the world beyond the institution. Esmie seems lost in the outside world having spent so long being institutionalized and she has been forgotten about by society.

Florence is angry by this thought and her anger is clear as she speaks to the Matron on the telephone. Florence knows that if Esmie is left to her own actions, there will be challenges. Therefore, Florence offers Esmie a room in her home.

Florence listens to Esmie’s story about her parents’ death and reflects on the death of her own parents and Annie. The readers suspect that like Esmie, Florence has nobody in her life. She has a cousin, but that relationship is distant. No one visits Florence’s home throughout the story and her only engagement with the outside world is when she calls the Matron of the home, when she goes to Church and when she goes shopping.

Florence and Esmie are reliant on each other. But Florence is unaware of this. Esmie sees the attachment and accepts that Florence provides stability in her life in a way that is like that of the Home. But the main difference between the Home and Florence’s home is that Florence wants Esmie to achieve the goals she knows she can reach in life. One could say that Florence remains a teacher at heart.

CONFLICT

Man versus Man

          Florence attempts to provide Esmie with the security in her life that she needs to survive in the outside world.

RESOLUTION

At the end of the story, Craig highlights the connection between Florence and Esmie and the bond each woman forms with the other.

SYMBOLS

Flowers

The flowers symbolize happiness for Florence. The full bloom of the flowers symbolizes Florence and the way her life was in full bloom. She was surrounded by a family who was carefree.

Bible

Florence gives Esmie a Bible, and they attend church together. This symbolizes the strong connection between Florence and Esmie and the fact that Florence wants Esmie to have a good life even though she has not known her for a long time. She wants Esmie to join the church choir as she feels that this may influence her life in a positive way. But Esmie’s fear of joining the choir suggests that she does not want to be abandoned again if she gets close to anyone.

Mint tea

The cup of mint tea symbolizes the connection for Esmie. From a Caribbean perspective, mint tea is used for different stomach ailments, and therefore, the tea suggests that life will be better for Esmie.

THEME

Pity,

Charity,

Anger,

Loss,

Connection,

Happiness,

Innocence and

Security.