The Imagery of a Spaniel
Claudia recalls, “There was a spaniel on board the Mayflower. This little dog, once, was chased by wolves not far from the plantation and ran to crouch between its master’s legs ‘for succour.’ Smart dog-it knew that muskets are sharper than teeth. What I find remarkable about this animal is that I should know of its existence at all, that its unimportant passage through time should be recorded. It becomes one of those vital inessentials that convince one that history is true.” The spaniel’s imagery is recorded in Claudia’s unconscious. Although its manifestation in Claudia’s life is somewhat immaterial, it is an indicator of the trivial occurrences which contribute to history. History accommodates both consequential and trivial incidents.
The Imagery of Language
In chapter four, Claudia declares, “Today language abandoned me. I could not find the word for a simple object- a commonplace familiar furnishing. For instance, I stared into a void. Language tethers us to the world, without it we spin like atoms. Later, I made an inventory of the room- a naming of parts: bed, chair, table, picture, vase, cupboard, window, curtain. Curtain. And I breathed again. We open our mouths and out flow words whose ancestries we don’t not even know.” Language is contributory in communiqué. In the absence of language, humans would find it problematic to transmit information. Words unqualified fragments of exchange which are compulsory for Claudia to reconstruct her history. The abandonment of language implies that it is unmanageable for her to converse.
The Imagery of Gordon
Claudia observes, “There is Gordon, who has mutated from a golden lad to a successful man, shrewd, respected and handsome with it. Women fall for him from Singapore to Stanford…But I may well be the only one to know that Gordon has a deep seminal laziness. Oh, he works… he will work himself into the ground, when it is a matter of the intellect. His laziness is more subtle than that, it is a laziness of the soul.” Based on Claudia’s reflection, Gordon is unequivocally charming which fascinates females. His inherent laziness would not be distinguished by the females who are entranced by him since it is concealed. His accomplishment underwrites to his charm. Moreover, his dedication to intellectual matters depicts him as a knowledgeable man.
