Laminex AND Mirrors - themes, key ideas, characters, structure, language and quotes PDF

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themes, key ideas, characters, structure, language and quotes ...

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LAMINEX AND MIRRORS Summary: The unnamed central character works as a cleaner in a hospital to save money for an overseas trip. She doesn’t fit in easily with the other staff, but is kind to them (even buying jewellery and cosmetics she does not want, solely to help the seller earn a sought- after bonus Christmas gift). She befriends one of the elderly hospital patients, Mr Moreton, risking her job in order to treat him to a bath in about- to- be- demolished bathroom, and to an illicit cigarette in a courtyard. Title: Laminex and Mirrors. Critique of our hospital system. Immaculate mirrors, hard shiny surfaces. Nothing humanising about them.

Key ideas and themes Making connections; Relationship- poignancy (The quality of evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret; pathos.), tenderness (b/w the cleaner and Mr Moreton) (pg 43, 45) show empathy – the nurse act of kindness. Holding hands suggests through losing someone or something that we gain a different outlook on life. Emotions and bodies Superficial- but shows empathy ‘miserable girls’ – we live in a society where perfection is endorsed ‘my parents gave me this for my 21st’ (pg 39) ‘fretful, restless scrutiny that has caused all this fault finding in the first place’.

Characters Protagonist The scholar (18) Intellectual background, finished school, saving for a trip to London Optimistic, ‘eager- beavering’ her way towards her future (pg 35) Unnamed: universalise Intuitive Picks up on social cues Decides to break the rules Willingly sacrifices her own job security to bring some joy to an old man. Cleans the laminex and mirrors in the elective ward, which she notes is full of ‘miserable’ (pg 39) girls her own age who are recovering from nose jobs. At morning tea the protagonist sees Dot carefully counting change out of an old purse, to give to Noeleen. ‘The care with which the two of them handle those coins’ (pg 48) prompts the girl to take Dot’s catalogue and tick items to buy so that Dot will get a Christmas Gift Bonus and Gold Seller pin. Dot (cleaner) Nervy, insecure Len (Dots husband) Doesn’t have what it takes Noeleen (cleaner) Tony (south African male nurse)

Context/ setting –geographical, historical, social How is the setting constructed in this story

Mortality beginning and end. There’s strength in the man. Protagonist recognises this ‘never wanted to live past seventy- five, till the day I turned seventy- four’ (pg 52)

Alienation and loneliness within the hospital Matron and Marie represent how hospital’s become dehumanised. As a society, we allow this to happen. Dissociated behaviour (not being involved emotionally)-this behaviour is more common We lose sight of human experience Once you’re in a hospital, you lose your sense of identity and power

Mr Moreton Dying Old Vulnerable (pg 54) ‘If he’s blowing a lingering kiss’ Gratitude. Different man.

Matron ‘lips stiff with disapproval’ Marie (head cleaner) Tone like permafrost Tells the protagonist to clean the bathrooms

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Elements of the short story: genre/plot /narration

Structure: Opening/closing

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Hospital setting: reflects the difference b/w the young character at the beginning of a journey and the older character at the end of one. Busy and diverse The hospital is being upgraded for its own shiny new journey, ‘every wing’ so to have ‘glistening white ensuite bathrooms and upmarket floral bedspreads’ (pg 39) But at the same time there is an ‘ancient’ bathroom ‘slated for demolition’ About journey (start and end) First person Taken along a journey of self- realisation Room- to –room, self- discovery More she interacts, more she learns Through her interaction, she gains insight Sees the real life of others (workers) and their efforts Pace changes: when she help’s Mr Moreton. Risks her

Point of view….

Language: Symbolism, metaphor, simile Simile: ‘lungs like an old engine’ Clock: time ‘like a relentless echoing clock, marking their time left’ (pg 40)

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References to the importance of grip (pg 51). Liberation. ‘weightless’ acceptance of death References to the army, comradeship of war. Like mates, breaking the rules. Awol (pg 53). ‘run the gauntlet (pg 55)’ Mr Moreton faces his inevitable death, the protagonist choses humanity over her own desires Uniforms designate status ‘slow, measured perambulation of an endless, unvarying stretch’ (pg 35)

Moments of conflict No real attachment but changes as the story progresses She see’s their suffering and responds as a human being Doesn’t like the nickname ‘scholar’ ‘its like the purse that does it, it’s so worn and well sued’ (pg 48) Gains insight into her self and others ‘radiant with pride’ ‘I’ve got my money’s worth after all’ The central tension is whether she will risk her job to provide some joy for Mr Moreton Quotes ‘Six more weeks, I think to myself as I go, and I‟ll be cashed up and out of here.‟ (Pg 42) ‘He looks morosely out through the sealed window to the courtyard garden, where the five iceberg rosebushes struggle to survive their pruning.‟ (Pg 44) ‘That hand, I tell myself, held a rifle, tried to stop itself trembling with terror, worked all its life.‟ (Pg 45)

job About working life, money (need). Class divide (uniform) Escape for the girl She recognises the class divide ‘purses’. Turning point, she lives a privileged life Pg 38. Delineate (describe) The story ends as Kennedy switches tense from the present tense to the past, reflecting the significance of the protagonist’s relationship with Mr Moreton and how this memory has remained with her and has been poignant and significant.

Symbolism Common images of sterile environments (pg 40). Wiped clean of blame ‘cleaning pointlessly, searching for a splash of toothpaste or cup ring mark on the laminex’s spotless, glossy surface. Purse- working class (pg 48). Shows the resilience of people who work in mundane jobs with little opportunities to escape Other (pg 39) ‘She gazes over my shoulder, into the mirror with the fretful, restless scrutiny’ (pg 40) ‘she wouldn’t come if I was on my last leg’ – distant relationship (pg 48) ‘it’s so worn and well sued compared to the elegant grey wallet’ (pg 50) ‘sinewy old muscle in his arm as he lowers himself’ (pg 51) ‘weightless’

Moments of resolution and hope Initially thinks that Glen isn’t supportive of Dot’s business Helping someone in need is more important to her The resolution occurs when she does so, and we understand that his could affect her future, as the loss of income might prevent or at least forestall her dreams of travel Kindness is more important than personal desires or gains

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Other stories Questions

‘I‟ll look back on this and laugh, I think grimly as I scour away at the rust stains. I don‟t owe these people anything. I can just finish in January and walk away with my three thousand dollars and my passport and get out of here.‟ (Pg 46). ‘I‟m a nonchalant girl on her way to Europe and real life.‟ (Pg 49) “I couldn‟t care less about the job.” (Pg 55) ‘The woody, clean fragrance of his Christmas aftershave makes me want to cry.‟ (Pg 56) ‘…There‟s no way I‟m going to do him the disservice of skulking in, it‟s up and over the top for us.‟ (Pg 56)...