In the Waiting Room Flashcards
(26 cards)
Setting the scene, almost like the beginning of a story. First person makes it personal. Past tense so a memory.
In Worcester, Massachusetts,
I went with Aunt Consuelo
to keep her dentist’s appointment
Short sentences, dull imagery. Basic, simplistic language create image of a child’s perspective.
It was winter. It got dark
early.
Referring to adults in a childlike manner, reiterates the fact that this is a childhood memory.
The waiting room
was full of grown-up people
Simile. Still childlike perspective, no concept of time totally but thinks it has been a while. Probably bored.
My aunt was inside
what seemed like a long time
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.
I read
the National Geographic
(I could read)
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
the inside of a volcano,
black, and full of ashes;
then it was spilling over
in rivulets of fire.
Violent, frightening imagery of cannibalism and and dead men impaled on poles. Not sights for a child.
A dead man slung on a pole
- ‘Long Pig,’ the caption said
Grotesque imagery of babies with string wrapped around their necks. Repetition suggests that Bishops was almost hypnotised by the image.
Babies with pointed heads
wound round and round with string
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.
black, naked women with necks
wound round and round with wire
like the necks of light bulbs
Plain language expressing Bishop’s disgust at the sight
Their breasts were horrifying.
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
I was too shy to stop.
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
I knew she was
a foolish, timid woman.
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.
What took me
completely by surprise
was that it was me:
my voice, in my mouth
Her identity was suddenly taken away from her in this spiral of overwhelming thoughts.
I was my foolish aunt.
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
I - we - were falling, falling
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
three days
and you’ll be seven years old
She still feels anxious and disturbed by this falling feeling and is desperately trying to stop it.
I was saying it to stop
the sensation of falling off
the round
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.
you are an I,
you are an Elizabeth,
you are one of them.
Why should you be on too?
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.
I gave a sidelong glance
- I couldn’t look any higher
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
I knew that nothing stranger
had ever happened, that nothing
stranger could ever happen.
Why is anybody anybody? Quite philosophical
Why should I be my aunt,
or me, or anyone?
Speaking about similarities and how they make us different yet also make us the same.
What similarities -
…(bits in between)…
held us all together
or made us all just one
Suddenly questioning her existence and why she was where she was. How or why was she in the waiting room?
How had I come to be here,
like them
Overbearing and overwhelming feeling. It was all converging in on her and making her feel constricted. Back to simplistic language
The waiting room was bright
and too hot.
