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| Old Harry Rocks at Studland |
SUMMARY, by Adriana Cruz
This fragment makes us reflect on situations and
moments in life that are marked and that we leave our marks. It starts with
Hettie who is in the guest bedroom looking at the painting on the wall and
thinking how graceful death can be. From then on, several reports of her
wedding and honeymoon, then the gratitude for her sister-in-law having received
her at Christmas and how they felt more like sisters and all the protection she
gave her.
They say that no matter how much we prepare for death,
we are never prepared. No one knows the date or the weather.
Her husband Roy had died just before Christmas. She left the hospital, took a bus and didn’t understand why all this was going on, she didn’t want to accept it. She just wanted Roy to be with her. Then, inside the bus, she sees Peter O’Toole all over the newspapers. He, too, had died. She didn’t see the actor, but Lawrence of Arabia in his white robe, it was as if he had died again.
What she demonstrates at the end, comparing the physical aspects between the two men (who didn’t have any resemblance) is the acceptance of him. Saying that it was just as his younger brother was before, just as Nelson Mandela was too, would change nothing because he is gone too.
QUESTIONS
What do you know about Peter O'Toole and Lawrence of Arabia? (Do some research, please.)
And about Nelson Mandela?
Can you give us some information about Studland and
the Scilly Isles?
We couldn’t choose a day to be born, and we won’t be
able to choose a day to die. All our life is between two random dates: all our life, is it a product of the chance, or can we really conduct our lives?
What do you think about these couple that wanted to
have a baby the 1st of January 2000 / 2001, that is, the beginning of the 21st Century?
What do you know about Harold Wilson?
Would you feel better if you die in company of famous
people? And in a big accident, with a lot of casualties? Or with someone you
loved (suicide by love)?
“Peter O’Toole suddenly came along? And what girl wouldn’t?
In her dreams.” Who were your favourite actors/actresses, your idols? Why?
How do you feel when a global event stifles your personal event?
Why do you think the story is in the second person?
VOCABULARY
rallies, crows, crones, crumple-faced, tinsel, cracker,
amenity, squinty, peek-a-boo