The Smell of Bread
Imagery is utilized in the play primarily for the purpose of laying down a sort of subconscious game of connect-the-dots that helps to explain what is going on with the strange behavior of Angus. Sense memories relate to the smell of bread baking or burning are associated with the onset of the worst symptomatic expressions of his PTSD. For instance, the first time Angus talks about being able to smell bread even though no bread is baking is immediately after the odd incident in which he keeps bringing a spoonful of water to Morgan who keeps asking instead for a towel. The imagery of bread baking will only take on meaning with the revelation of the truth about happened in the past.
The Teaspoon of Water
The initial incident with the multiple efforts by Angus to deliver a teaspoon of water to Morgan does not exist as a singular event. Angus attempts to get Morgan to swallow the water immediately after he has been run over by Miles in the tractor. A short while later a bruised and aching Miles is the recipient of an unsolicited teaspoon of water. These incidents form a pattern of imagery which traces to the subconscious memory of Angus’ would-be wife delivering a spoonful of medicine to treat him following brain injury. It is an unconscious replication of an act of tender caring toward one in need that acts as almost a post-hypnotic suggestion on Angus whenever he sees anyone in pain.
The Treasure Hunt
At various times during the play, Angus is shown in the act of searching the house. Act 1, scene iv, for instance, commences with an extended bit of pantomime in which Angus practically turns the kitchen inside out as he searches through cupboards. To a lesser extent, this scene is replicated a few more times to the point of becoming more imagery serving as symbolism of the synoptic connections forming memory in the brain trying to come together to bring back into consciousness those things in the past which have faded or even seem to be completely lost. The literal treasure of this hunt turns out to his architectural drawings of the connected houses which never got the chance to get built, but even that too serves as imagery of disconnected memories.
Angus and Math
Every time Angus sees Miles again, he treats him like a stranger until Miles re-introduces himself. Angus also can’t remember the difference between the names for a refrigerator and stove or the difference between hay and straw. He also thinks he and Miles are about the same age and Morgan is much older even though in reality he and Morgan are the same age. And yet when Miles randomly throws out a series of numbers, Angus can instantly add up the sum in his head. This rather idiosyncratic personality tick is mostly delivered to the audience subtly as background comedy going on while the focus of the dialogue is centered on Miles getting some research information from Morgan. As a result of this construction, the sharp divide between what Angus knows and what he has trouble with become more dots in the subconscious pattern of imagery that need will eventually all be connected by the end. Here it serves the purpose of building on the foundation that the Angus we are seeing is substantially different from the Angus who existed between the injury.
