In the Waiting Room Flashcards

1
Q

Setting the scene, almost like the beginning of a story. First person makes it personal. Past tense so a memory.

A

In Worcester, Massachusetts,
I went with Aunt Consuelo
to keep her dentist’s appointment

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2
Q

Short sentences, dull imagery. Basic, simplistic language create image of a child’s perspective.

A

It was winter. It got dark

early.

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3
Q

Referring to adults in a childlike manner, reiterates the fact that this is a childhood memory.

A

The waiting room

was full of grown-up people

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4
Q

Simile. Still childlike perspective, no concept of time totally but thinks it has been a while. Probably bored.

A

My aunt was inside

what seemed like a long time

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5
Q

Child trying to show off the fact that she can read, she is proud of that fact. Wants to be grown-up too and read the National Geographic, something that she most likely wouldn’t usually have an opportunity to read. Suggests she is quite a curious child.

A

I read
the National Geographic
(I could read)

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6
Q

Things Bishops may not have seen before such as a volcano. Bizarre imagery that bring the world to life before her. Introduce her to the dangers of the outside world

A

the inside of a volcano,
black, and full of ashes;
then it was spilling over
in rivulets of fire.

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7
Q

Violent, frightening imagery of cannibalism and and dead men impaled on poles. Not sights for a child.

A

A dead man slung on a pole

- ‘Long Pig,’ the caption said

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8
Q

Grotesque imagery of babies with string wrapped around their necks. Repetition suggests that Bishops was almost hypnotised by the image.

A

Babies with pointed heads

wound round and round with string

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9
Q

Horrifying images of women that elongate their necks to look more attractive and put lots of jewellery on them. Their bodies were on show, unusual sight for a young girl. Repetition suggests that Bishops was almost hypnotised by the image.

A

black, naked women with necks
wound round and round with wire
like the necks of light bulbs

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10
Q

Plain language expressing Bishop’s disgust at the sight

A

Their breasts were horrifying.

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11
Q

The images, although horrific and grotesque, captivated Bishop. She couldn’t stop looking at them because they had opened up a whole new world for her

A

I was too shy to stop.

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12
Q

Bishop seems mature beyond her years and has little time for people who try her patience. Suggests she didn’t feel like she belonged with this family member

A

I knew she was

a foolish, timid woman.

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13
Q

Bishop gets lost in the spiral of her own thoughts. Once again, demonstrating she is mature beyond her years. The images horrified her into realising that she was just as ignorant as her aunt.

A

What took me
completely by surprise
was that it was me:
my voice, in my mouth

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14
Q

Her identity was suddenly taken away from her in this spiral of overwhelming thoughts.

A

I was my foolish aunt.

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15
Q

Repetition illustrates how Bishop was slipping away from reality and into a state of confusion and puzzlement. She no longer knew who she was, an identity crisis

A

I - we - were falling, falling

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16
Q

Bishop attempts to keep her sanity and stay in the moment as opposed to slipping away by telling herself facts. Shock at her age and the deep thoughts she is having

A

three days

and you’ll be seven years old

17
Q

She still feels anxious and disturbed by this falling feeling and is desperately trying to stop it.

A

I was saying it to stop
the sensation of falling off
the round

18
Q

She is trying to make sense of her identity by telling her the facts she knows about herself. Attempt to stop the spiral. Trying to separate herself from others.

A

you are an I,
you are an Elizabeth,
you are one of them.
Why should you be on too?

19
Q

Bringing me back to the fact that she is a child and scared. Doesn’t quite know what is happening to her and is looking around to gather her bearings.

A

I gave a sidelong glance

- I couldn’t look any higher

20
Q

She knew that this was as odd as life could possibly get. That this experience would stick with her because of how queer it was

A

I knew that nothing stranger
had ever happened, that nothing
stranger could ever happen.

21
Q

Why is anybody anybody? Quite philosophical

A

Why should I be my aunt,

or me, or anyone?

22
Q

Speaking about similarities and how they make us different yet also make us the same.

A

What similarities -
…(bits in between)…
held us all together
or made us all just one

23
Q

Suddenly questioning her existence and why she was where she was. How or why was she in the waiting room?

A

How had I come to be here,

like them

24
Q

Overbearing and overwhelming feeling. It was all converging in on her and making her feel constricted. Back to simplistic language

A

The waiting room was bright

and too hot.

25
Q

As quickly as her odd bout had started, it finished. She regained control and snaps out of it. Back to facts.

A

Then I was back in it.

The War was on.

26
Q

Facts, comes full circle. Links back to start. 8 months before the end of war. The whole world was in chaos, just like Bishop’s.

A

in Worcester, Massachusetts,
were night and slush and cold,
and it was still the fifth
of February, 1918.