To read her BIOGRAPHY by Nora Carranza, click here.
Notes for Atrophy
Notes for Atrophy
Nora Frenway was a young, beautiful and elegant woman. She was married to Mr. George Frenway, a semi-invalid man with a bad temper which made him a desolate and pathetic figure.
They had two sons who were Nora’s jewels. George had a possessive and domineering mother, before whom the entire family cowered, lied and flattered.
Nora had once had a lover, Christopher, who lived in Oakfield near Westover. He was currently very ill and his life was in danger, so Nora Frenway secretly decided to take the train and visit him.
Her lover lived with his spinster sister, Jana Aldis, a dishevelled, old and insignificant woman.
Jana Aldis made it as difficult as she could to prevent Nora from seeing her brother Christopher. Nora suspected that Jana knew about her relationship with her brother, and just in case there was any doubt about this, when Nora was about to board the taxi that would take her to Westover station to return home, Jane Aldis called from the threshold “I’ll be sure to write to thank your husband Mr. Frenway for your visit.”
QUESTIONS
-Has been there a moment when you had the feeling of being "flung naked to the public scrutiny"?
-Do you feel you have adopted all the inhibitions of your parents and grandparents? What inhibitions do you regret more?
-In your opinion, does a sister have more power upon her brother than a wife upon her husband?
-According to your view, is the partner the first one to feel being cheated, or the last one, when everybody already knows?
-In the story there is a beautiful love gesture: to stroke the dog on the same place her lover's hand had rested. Do you remember any other tender gesture, in real life or in fiction?
-What would you be your best option when you feel your adversary (in a match, in a debate...) is much weaker than yourself?
-Miss Aldis speaks several times about "tree moving". What is its symbolism, on your view?
-What could be the relation between the title and the story?
VOCABULARY
quailed, humbugged, fibbed, fawned, holds-up, welter, tarred, inferences, dowdy, brim, panelled, brink, prying, cared for a fig, upholsterer, moping, groping, caller, beech, twaddle, platitudes, blighting