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Interpretation

The Constant Gardener Comparis­on Sandy Woodrow and Justin Quayle

513 Words / ~1½ pages sternsternsternstern_0.25stern_0.3 Author Nina W. in Dec. 2011
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Interpretation
English Language

University, School

Runge Gymnasium

Grade, Teacher, Year

2011

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Nina W. ©
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The Constant Gardener - „at the morgue“

 

 

The text is an extract from chapter one of the book “The Constant Gardener” written by John le Carré. It takes place at the morgue in Kenya where Justin Quayle has to identify his dead wife Tessa. A friend of Justin Sandy Woodrow accompanied him because he wanted to see Tessa again.

 

The narrator tells the story from the outside (“Woodrow and Justin went there together [...]” p.28) as a third-person narrator.

At some parts of the text the perspective switches to the first-person narrator which is told by Sandy Woodrow. This brings you close to his opinion and feelings. (“Why did she always make me think of duty?” p.29)

 

Sandy Woodrow is the head of Chancery in Kenya and has a close relationship to Justin. He is a “soldiers son” (p.29) and tries to behave like it. He wants to keep calm and shut down emotionally just as he expects it of himself when Justin and he enter the morgue.

The author makes use of a metaphor to describe Sandy indirectly.(“[...] he vomited his heart out [...]” p.31) Contrary to Justin the situation overburdens Sandy and he has to throw up.

Sandy is described with the help of a comparison at page 30.”A drowning man rising in the surface for the last time, Woodrow recklessly took in the rest [...]”

Because he was nuts about Tessa he had to take a last look at her. John le Carré illustrates Sandys feelings for Tessa with this comparison. He coveted Tessa, although she was the wife of a good friend and being at the morgue to face her for the last time made him feel uncomfortable.Woodrow had a guilty conscience because he wanted to commit adultery with Tessa. Nevertheless, he remained polite and friendly and asked Justin if he should accompany him to identify Tessa at the morgue after she was murdered in the wilderness of Kenya.(“”Of course there is a need,” said the soldier´s son nobly” p.29)

 

Justin and Sandy are having a close and friendly relationship to each other because they are colleagues and are working both for the British government as diplomats.

The author makes use of indirect characterisation for describing Justin Quayle.

Even in his worst hour Justin is still comforting his friend Sandy, which shows how generous he is.

(“[…] while Justin the ever-courteous stood at his shoulder with his arm round him,murmuring condolences.” p.31) Acting like that characterises Justin Quayle as very sympathetic.

 

Due to his job, he is very polite and modest, as he replied Woodrow, that he does not have to accompany him. Although he is looking at his dead wife, he seems to be very controlled because he does not act rash or hectic. (“ [...] Justin replied, each word carefully weighed before it was delivered.

 

Because of the behavior of Justin and Sandy at the morgue John le Carré gives the impression that Sandy has stronger feelings for Tessa as Justin. Because Justin is very tight and controlled whereas Sandy seems very taken.

 

The reader gets the feeling that the relationship between Justin and Tessa must have been tense.

 

 

 

 

 


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