sle in the Water-Step 1

Question

Excerpt from An Isle in the Water
Katherine Tynan

(paragraphs 1-7)


Read the excerpt from the short story below to find out how the people of a small community respond to a person who returns to their town after a long absence.


1 Margaret Laffan was something of a mystery. While young, she had disappeared for six years, but she had turned up on the small island community one day in a starched, blue and white checked dress, which looked suspiciously like workhouse or asylum1 garb. She had greeted the neighbors with a nod, as if she had seen them yesterday.

2 Over time, a rumor spread that Margaret, who lived alone, must be saving money; her clothes were worn practically threadbare. Grim and dour, Margaret chose to remain isolated from nearly everyone.

3 Jack Laffan, Margaret's brother, was a sociable man, quite unlike his sister. Jack had a wife known to all as Mrs. Jack. Jack was rather fond of idling with his companions, but, being well under Mrs. Jack's thumb, this habit was unlikely to be tolerated for long.

4 Mrs. Jack was known for being a domineering woman. There was never much love lost between her and Margaret, and Mrs. Jack's guesses were perhaps the most ill-natured as to the reasons for Margaret's silence and her curious, checked clothing.

5 For twenty-five years, Margaret lived alone, untroubled by her relatives. Then, there was talk about money, and this gossip grew like a snowball from little beginnings. This talk fired Mrs. Jack with a curious excitement, for she believed any extravagant story. She blamed Jack for long ignoring Margaret. When he stared at his wife, dumbfounded, she shook him until his teeth rattled.

6 That very day Jack stupidly went to try to bridge the gulf of thirty years of ignoring his sister. Margaret watched him with grim enjoyment while he wriggled miserably and tried to talk naturally. Finally, he jerked out his wife's invitation to dine with them the following Sunday, which Margaret accepted without showing any pleasure; then Jack bolted from the house.

7 Margaret came to dinner on Sunday and was well entertained, for the Laffans were prosperous. Though hardly speaking, Margaret thoroughly enjoyed her dinner. When she left, Mrs. Jack declared her "a flinty-hearted old maid." Nevertheless, Margaret dined each Sunday with the Laffans, and Mrs. Jack noticed that the dinners were putting a roundness on Margaret that might give her a new lease on life–perhaps not a desirable result.

1asylum - an institution that cares for the mentally ill, orphans, or others who need assistance
How does Jack Laffan differ from his sister? (paragraph 3)

Answer 1

Jack Laffan differs from his sister, Margaret, in several key ways. Firstly, Jack is described as a sociable man who enjoys spending time with his friends and engaging in conversations, highlighting his outgoing nature. In contrast, Margaret is portrayed as isolated and grim, having lived alone for twenty-five years and choosing to keep to herself, which suggests that she is introverted and possibly withdrawn from social interactions.

Additionally, Jack is under the influence of his domineering wife, Mrs. Jack, indicating that he has a certain level of dependence on her opinions and decisions. This contrasts with Margaret, who appears to be self-sufficient and independent, even if her independence leads to her isolation. Overall, Jack's sociability and connection to the community stand in stark contrast to Margaret's solitude and mystery.