‘‘Andrina’Andrina’

George Mackay BrownGeorge Mackay Brown

Basic NotesBasic Notes

On the following slides are some On the following slides are some basic notes before you start working basic notes before you start working on ‘Andrina’.on ‘Andrina’.

You should copy down whatever you You should copy down whatever you feel is relevant before you begin feel is relevant before you begin reading. reading.

Plot- Plot- Spoiler Alert!Spoiler Alert!

Set in Selskay during the 1960sSet in Selskay during the 1960s Old sea Captain, Torvald, is visited by the Old sea Captain, Torvald, is visited by the

title character, Andrina. title character, Andrina. Andrina is a young girl who he entertains Andrina is a young girl who he entertains

with tales of his past as a sailor until he with tales of his past as a sailor until he lets slip a disappointing turth. lets slip a disappointing turth.

Fifty years earlier, Torvald abandoned his Fifty years earlier, Torvald abandoned his fiancee, Sigrid, when she became fiancee, Sigrid, when she became pregnant. pregnant.

GenreGenre

Ghost storyGhost story The whole story is littered with The whole story is littered with

references to ghosts and ghostly references to ghosts and ghostly imagery. imagery.

The story within a story: The Love The story within a story: The Love Story- written and related as though Story- written and related as though it is from the fairytale genre. it is from the fairytale genre. Powerful sense of nostalgia.Powerful sense of nostalgia.

StructureStructure

‘‘Andrina’ is a tale-within-a-taleAndrina’ is a tale-within-a-tale

The framing story is concerned with The framing story is concerned with Captain Torvald, his illness and Captain Torvald, his illness and subsequent search for the subsequent search for the mysterious Andrina, ending with the mysterious Andrina, ending with the letter from Sigrid. letter from Sigrid.

The inner story tells of fifty years The inner story tells of fifty years ago when Torvald betrayed his lover ago when Torvald betrayed his lover Sigrid by deserting her.Sigrid by deserting her.

Narrative PerspectiveNarrative Perspective

11stst person narrative, told by Captain person narrative, told by Captain TorvaldTorvald

Interestingly he still reveals the true Interestingly he still reveals the true nature of his own character as the nature of his own character as the story unfoldsstory unfolds

ReadingReading

Read and annotate the tale. Read and annotate the tale.

As you read, highlight any ghostly As you read, highlight any ghostly descriptions/imagery. descriptions/imagery.

Also pay particular attention to the Also pay particular attention to the narrative stance. A switch in narrative stance. A switch in narrative stance will signal the narrative stance will signal the movement into another tale.movement into another tale.

The Author’s MessageThe Author’s Message

George Mackay Brown’s key George Mackay Brown’s key message in ‘Andrina’ is that there is message in ‘Andrina’ is that there is pain to be found in life as well as pain to be found in life as well as happiness. We must accept both in happiness. We must accept both in order to progress and move through order to progress and move through life successfully. life successfully.

Life moves on. It is unstoppable. Life moves on. It is unstoppable. Brown shows us that we must learn Brown shows us that we must learn from our mistakes. from our mistakes.

Questions- Effective Questions- Effective OpeningOpening

Paragraphs 1-5Paragraphs 1-5

1.1. The story is written in first person narrative. The story is written in first person narrative. Why is this effective?Why is this effective?

2.2. Who is Torvald’s focus on from the Who is Torvald’s focus on from the beginning?beginning?

3.3. How do we know that Andrina is How do we know that Andrina is conscientious? (hardworking and reliable)conscientious? (hardworking and reliable)

4.4. What time does Andrina usually arrive? Why What time does Andrina usually arrive? Why could this be seen as a hint for what’s to could this be seen as a hint for what’s to come?come?

5.5. What are some of the actions Andrina What are some of the actions Andrina performs for Torvald? What technique is performs for Torvald? What technique is used by the author here to describe them in used by the author here to describe them in paragraph 1?paragraph 1?

Questions- Effective Questions- Effective OpeningOpening

6.6. The quotation “The quotation “mix myselfmix myself” (paragraph 2) ” (paragraph 2) demonstrates that Torvald can meet his own demonstrates that Torvald can meet his own needs. What is your opinion of his character needs. What is your opinion of his character at this point? What technique is used to at this point? What technique is used to draw attention to this?draw attention to this?

7.7. Why does the narrator mention the writer Why does the narrator mention the writer Conrad to the reader?Conrad to the reader?

8.8. What season does this story take place? What season does this story take place? What are the connotations of this season?What are the connotations of this season?

9.9. Look at paragraph 4. What techniques does Look at paragraph 4. What techniques does the narrator use to emphasise his discomfort the narrator use to emphasise his discomfort to the reader? You should provide evidence to the reader? You should provide evidence in your answer. in your answer.

10.10. What do the first and last words of the What do the first and last words of the opening section have in common?opening section have in common?

Non-Appearance of Non-Appearance of Andrina- Heightens TensionAndrina- Heightens Tension Comment on the following quotations. You Comment on the following quotations. You

should state any techniques present and why should state any techniques present and why that quotation is important. What does it that quotation is important. What does it demonstrate? Paragraphs 6-11demonstrate? Paragraphs 6-11

1. “Andrina 1. “Andrina did not comedid not come that afternoon” that afternoon”

2. “I expected . . . I accepted” 2. “I expected . . . I accepted”

3. “head 3. “head throbbinglythrobbingly wooden . . feet wooden . . feet flashingflashing with cold pain . . . teeth actually with cold pain . . . teeth actually clackedclacked””

4. “She did not come.”4. “She did not come.”

Illness and RecoveryIllness and Recovery

Paragraphs 12-15Paragraphs 12-151.1. Why is the first sentence of paragraph 12 Why is the first sentence of paragraph 12

important? Comment, in particular, on the important? Comment, in particular, on the ghost imagery used. ghost imagery used.

2.2. How does the writer create a dark, How does the writer create a dark, oppressive atmosphere in paragraph 12?oppressive atmosphere in paragraph 12?

3.3. Quote the first clear example of Torvald’s Quote the first clear example of Torvald’s guilt. Explain what the writer is trying to guilt. Explain what the writer is trying to demonstrate here. demonstrate here.

4.4. How do we know that Torvald is quite How do we know that Torvald is quite judgemental in this section of the short judgemental in this section of the short story? Quote to prove your answer. story? Quote to prove your answer.

Andrina ChangingAndrina ChangingParagraphs 15-24Paragraphs 15-24

1.1. Why is the quotation, “It was as if I had been Why is the quotation, “It was as if I had been betrayed – deliberately kicked when I was down . . . betrayed – deliberately kicked when I was down . . . Why had my friend left me in my bad time?” ironic?Why had my friend left me in my bad time?” ironic?

2.2. How does the writer increase the sense of mystery How does the writer increase the sense of mystery surrounding Andrina?surrounding Andrina?

3.3. Why does the narrator try to present himself as a Why does the narrator try to present himself as a brave explorer?brave explorer?

4.4. The description of Andrina changes towards the end The description of Andrina changes towards the end of this section. Explain in what way her description of this section. Explain in what way her description changes and why this is important. Quote to prove.changes and why this is important. Quote to prove.

The Love StoryThe Love Story

Paragraphs 25-35Paragraphs 25-35

1.1. The narrative stance changes here. What The narrative stance changes here. What does it change to and why is this important?does it change to and why is this important?

2.2. Torvald is looking back on previous events. Torvald is looking back on previous events. What tone is he using here?What tone is he using here?

3.3. a) What season does this tale begin in? a) What season does this tale begin in? Quote to prove.Quote to prove.b) What are the connotations of this?b) What are the connotations of this?c) What season does it end with? Quote to c) What season does it end with? Quote to prove. prove.

The EndingThe Ending

1. Why is Tina Stewart an important 1. Why is Tina Stewart an important figure? figure?

2. Why is Issac Irving important?2. Why is Issac Irving important? 3. Comment on the quotation: 3. Comment on the quotation:

“March airs were moving over the “March airs were moving over the island”island”

Final ParagraphFinal Paragraph

1.1. Torvald appears comforted in the Torvald appears comforted in the final paragraph. Quote to prove final paragraph. Quote to prove this. this.

2.2. Explain why the final sentence can Explain why the final sentence can be seen to be very positive and be seen to be very positive and optimistic. optimistic.

TorvaldTorvald

CharacterisationCharacterisation

Find quotations to prove Find quotations to prove the following:the following:

Torvald is:Torvald is:

1.1. Concerned with appearances- Concerned with appearances- wants to present himself as wants to present himself as someone importantsomeone important

2.2. Willing to hide the truthWilling to hide the truth

3.3. Guilty and shamefulGuilty and shameful

4.4. ArrogantArrogant

Find quotations to prove Find quotations to prove the following:the following:

Sigrid:Sigrid:

1.1. Simple girlSimple girl

2.2. ForgivingForgiving

3.3. ConsiderateConsiderate

4.4. Kind and generousKind and generous

Find quotations to prove Find quotations to prove the following:the following:

AndrinaAndrina

1.1. Loving and caringLoving and caring

2.2. Concerned for othersConcerned for others

3.3. Disillusioned Disillusioned

4.4. MysteriousMysterious

AndrinaAndrina

Is an important symbol of love, Is an important symbol of love, beauty, goodness, innocence as well beauty, goodness, innocence as well as being Torvald’s only living family. as being Torvald’s only living family. She is therefore a symbol of his life She is therefore a symbol of his life living on. living on.

You could discuss Andrina (the You could discuss Andrina (the character) therefore in a character) therefore in a ‘symbolism’ question. ‘symbolism’ question.

BetrayalBetrayal

Key ThemeKey Theme

BetrayalBetrayal

Connotations of betrayal?Connotations of betrayal?

What is it?What is it?

When does it happen?When does it happen?

Who betrays?Who betrays?

Key theme- BetrayalKey theme- Betrayal

How to structure an essay on How to structure an essay on betrayal:betrayal:

BetrayalBetrayal

Key Note:Key Note: The ghost story genre is The ghost story genre is most appropriate to the story’s main most appropriate to the story’s main theme of betrayal and regret because theme of betrayal and regret because the main character, Captain Torvald, the main character, Captain Torvald, is evidently haunted by his own past is evidently haunted by his own past betrayal of Sigrid fifty years before. betrayal of Sigrid fifty years before.

Question: Find evidence from the Question: Find evidence from the text that proves Torvald is haunted text that proves Torvald is haunted by his past.by his past.

Hint: try to look for an example of Hint: try to look for an example of ghost imagery.ghost imagery.

Possible answersPossible answers

““Love had been killed but many Love had been killed but many ghosts had been awakened.”ghosts had been awakened.”

““one certain episode…like an one certain episode…like an ancient gramaphone record being ancient gramaphone record being put on time after time, and a rusty put on time after time, and a rusty needle scuttling over warm wax.”needle scuttling over warm wax.”

11stst Betrayal- Torvald Betrayal- Torvald

Who does Torvald feel betrayed by?Who does Torvald feel betrayed by? What is happening in his life that has What is happening in his life that has

caused him to rely on someone?caused him to rely on someone? Why does Torvald feel betrayed?Why does Torvald feel betrayed? Is this justified?Is this justified? Find evidence to add to your notes. Find evidence to add to your notes.

This evidence must demonstrate how This evidence must demonstrate how Torvald feels about being betrayed. Torvald feels about being betrayed.

22ndnd Betrayal- Sigrid Betrayal- Sigrid

Who is Sigrid betrayed by?Who is Sigrid betrayed by? How is she betrayed?How is she betrayed? Why did she need someone at this Why did she need someone at this

point in her life?point in her life? Why was she betrayed?Why was she betrayed? Find a quotation to prove this. (look Find a quotation to prove this. (look

in Love Story)in Love Story)

33rdrd Betrayal Betrayal

Torvald realises that he has betrayed Torvald realises that he has betrayed himself of the opportunity to have a himself of the opportunity to have a happy and fulfilled life. happy and fulfilled life.

Find a quote to prove this. Find a quote to prove this. In the end however, Torvald accepts In the end however, Torvald accepts

his guilt and tries to focus on moving his guilt and tries to focus on moving forward. forward.

Find a quote to prove this. Find a quote to prove this.

Betrayal Notes- For Betrayal Notes- For referencereference

Both Sigrid and Torvald, then, are Both Sigrid and Torvald, then, are abandoned abruptly at the very times abandoned abruptly at the very times when each most needs support:when each most needs support:

Sigrid when she is pregnantSigrid when she is pregnant Torvald when he is old and ill. Torvald when he is old and ill.

In the end Torvald realises that he has In the end Torvald realises that he has betrayed himself as well as Sigrid. betrayed himself as well as Sigrid. Only once he realises and accepts this, Only once he realises and accepts this, can his life move forward. can his life move forward.

ConclusionConclusion Possible remarks: Return to author’s Possible remarks: Return to author’s

messagemessage In conclusion George Mackay Brown’s key In conclusion George Mackay Brown’s key

message in ‘Andrina’ is that there is pain message in ‘Andrina’ is that there is pain to be found in life as well as happiness, to be found in life as well as happiness, but life still moves on. It is unstoppable. but life still moves on. It is unstoppable. Brown shows us, through the characters of Brown shows us, through the characters of Torvald and Sigrid, that we must learn Torvald and Sigrid, that we must learn from our mistakes as well as those of from our mistakes as well as those of others. If we don’t, life would become too others. If we don’t, life would become too hard to bare. Betrayal is painful, but we hard to bare. Betrayal is painful, but we must overcome the effects. must overcome the effects.

Recap- StructureRecap- Structure Key theme question: BetrayalKey theme question: Betrayal1.1. IntroIntro2.2. Section 1- Torvald being betrayed by Section 1- Torvald being betrayed by

Andrina in his time of need (sickness)Andrina in his time of need (sickness)3.3. Section 2- Sigrid being betrayed by Section 2- Sigrid being betrayed by

Torvald in her time of need (pregnancy Torvald in her time of need (pregnancy out of wedlock)out of wedlock)

4.4. Section 3- Torvald betraying himself of Section 3- Torvald betraying himself of a happy and fulfilled life. a happy and fulfilled life.

5.5. Conclusion- mention writer’s message. Conclusion- mention writer’s message.