Compass and Torch Themes

Compass and Torch Themes

1. Divorce and Separation

   • long time separation causes someone to become harsh and hard from inside; still has feelings
     • "He isn't looking at the torch. He is looking away, seared by the glitter of anxiety in his little boy's eyes" [47]
       • seems he does not care and understand feelings
       • he knows that 'his little boy' is nervous and has 'anxiety' to know how his dad will be.
         • he could see how much the little boy missed him and felt incomplete
           • hence his incapability to fulfil his little boy's wishes and live up to his expectations is burning him, leaves him 'seared'
             • shows that he is weak from inside and can't face this situation
               • perhaps that is why he is looking away
   • separation forces child to mature early
     • " It's OK, the boy decides, that his dad hasn't looked at the torch, hasn't studied or handled it like Jim" [ 50]
       • his recomparison with Jim's 'kindness' shows his wish for such a caring father
         • he wants to feel the care and understanding
       • however as he is not getting it, he is always ignoring the bad quality
         • shows he understands dad's situation
           • develops hope of reuniting
             • shows how he is being forced to mature
               • This kind of understanding not expected from eight year old
   • Separation lays a child under pressure and they often don't enjoy their childhood
     • "her eyes were bulging and wobbly with tears, and he thought he couldn't bear this: that this moment which he had looked forward to, longed for, as his moment of joy, was a moment of sadness for her."
       • "this moment which he had looked forward to, longed for"
         • shows how desperate he is for this moment and so much willing to live it
       • but mom's 'wobbly eyes' are holding him back
         • he is feeling sympathy and disloyal to her
           • her decisions influence his
       • "he couldn't bear this"
         • he wants to do both but pressure of not being disloyal to either
           • Hence he is having to sacrifice his wishes for happiness of other
   • It is equally hard and painful for parents to grow up children and manage relationships after divorce
     • "her voice was low and light" and "There was a choke in her voice now, and suddenly a kind of snarl" [25]
       • the check that she is getting emotional
       • 'low and light' when it should be harsh and taunting
         • so does not want to hurt him
           • she still cares about him
       • 'snarl' imagine that she is growling
         • as if getting her anger out on him
           • hence a snarl is to boost herself up
             • to stop her from being weak
               • how they have to fight their own emotions
     • "When the boy stepped into the kitchen he saw her start with alarm and shame." [27]
       • even harder with childre
         • she has to hide her anger in front of child
           • maybe to keep his faith
           • to stop him from getting demotivated and depressed
           • always has to compromise with her own emotions
   • Child could be a way split parents could be brought together
     • "'Dad, hey, do you think that horse wanted something to eat?'" [153]
       • horse symbolises mom
         • son reminds that they should not leave mom behind
       • as dad is weak, he might not be able to bring the relationship back
         • but for sake of child, the two parents might have to live together
           • as son's presence would bond parents and make it less hard for them

2. Childhood

   • Empathy
     • understand others
       • 'bulging and wobbly eyes'
         • sticking in his mind and always reminds him of her and raises questions
           • understands that mom 'doesn't want him to go'
     • childhood is the time when they are centred between their own and other's feelings
       • they struggle to come out of the confusion
         • can't make the right decision
           • hence end up influenced by others
   • Forgiveness and restart
     • "its OK, the boy decides that Dad didn't handle the torch like Jim" [50]
       • understands dad's feelings
         • hopeful that he will improve
       • has the ability to overcome his desires
         • ignores mistakes - forgives
   • Insecure
     • "Beyond the gate is the open moor, pale in the early evening with bleached end-of-summer grass, bruised here and there with heather and age-old spills of purple granite." [2]
       • 'beyond the gate' means outside her mom's protection
         • 'bruised' grass symbolises hurt and pain
           • damage to represent the fear in his mind
             • so concentrating on dad's 'calf muscles' meaning he is strong
               • that is why undecided that 'after all he didn't want to go'
   • curiosity and getting closer
     • dad's quietness makes him appear weak
       • so constantly asks questions to find links
         • also a way to engage dad
           • make it easier for dad to talk
   • Finding joy in every small thing than regretting
     • " The man says with robust authority: 'It's an all-weather mountain tent. Two-man.' [86]
       • ignores fathers irritation 'robust authority'
       • find joy in the fact that he will be with his father
         • jot that dad sees him as capable 'man'
       • it is 'all weather' meaning they will fight all problems

3. Fear of Loss

   • Mom fears losing son
     • fears as it is the only relationship
       • "accommodating his child into his life?" [26]
         • she is aware and afraid that dad is trying to come closer to her son
           • by phrasing it with a question tag, she is trying to be dominating
             • "you wouldn't expect him to start now, would you?" [25]
               • make him feel subordinate, so that he does not dare to do it
                 • at the same time trying to consolidate herself that he 'wouldn't do' it.
     • at the same time very cleverly hides it
       • "he saw her start with alarm and shame"
         • does not want to show this dominance to son because she fears he will hate him for being rude
           • hence her careful way of handling it shows she fears losing his faith and trust
   • Dad fears losing son
     • "he could only half-listen to his child's earnest desperate voice"
       • he is already feeling as is his child's voice is fading away
       • could also means that he cannot listen to the depth of his heart and feelings
         • this is causing the fear of hurting him as he can't understand
   • Son fears losing mom
     • "the light seeping through her fuzzy hair made the bones of his shoulder ache" [30]
       • the light seeping through the 'fuzzy hair' creates the image of fading figure
         • as if she is moving away from him
           • this thought and feeling is causing him pain
       • 'fuzzy hair' also makes her seem distorted
         • which links to the idea of compass and orientation
         • she is disorientated meaning she does not know which way their relationship will go
           • this state of mind and lack of assurance makes the boy feel insecure
   • Son fears losing dad
     • every action of dad raises questions and fear into his mind
       • "does this make one of the torches redundant?""
         • as if implying whether one will not be able to light up and find the way
           • hence if one of them can't find way, their relationships won't work

4. Insecurity

   • on his own
     • "unsettled by his subtle nervy hurry"
       • he can see how dad is avoiding him
         • feeling on his own
       • shows his weakness 'subtle'
         • can't protect him
   • unsuccessful relations
     • "Does that make one of the torches redundant?"
       • torches illuminate and show way
         • one of the torches not used; meaning one person does not find the way
           • without both of them playing their role, they can't walk on the same path
   • he is weak
     • "The boy's eyes are suddenly wide with fear and dismay: not with the notion that they'll get lost, but because of the way the man's shoulders slumped and the tent in his hand dropped back onto the boot floor. "
       • moreover dad may lose his self confidence and not lead the situation
         • become weak and not be able to protect him
       • won't be able to find the way without compass
         • he will be lost-no relations
           • unsuccessful relations with dad
             • away from his mother. lose her
   • unsure about expendition
     • "Beyond the gate is the open moor, pale in the early evening with bleached end-of-summer grass, bruised here and there" [2]
       • 'beyond the gate' shows outside mom's protection
         • 'bruised' grass symbolise pain and damage
           • damage shows fear of unsafe
             • so reassures dad is strong by watching 'calf muscles'
   • relationship with mom
     • "The light seeping through her fuzzy hair made the bones of his shoulders ache." [30]
       • 'fuzzy hair' shows she is distorted
         • links to the idea of being disorientated
           • furthermore links to compass showing orientation and way
             • meaning she does not know which way their relationship goes
               • unsure future of relationship makes it painful and insecure
       • the light seeping through creates a fading figure
         • as if she is moving away
           • pain and fear of insecure without protection