Compass and Torch

Compass:

- Device for finding you way

- They don't have the compass - Can't find a way to work their relationships out

Torch:

- The torch could signify that they can 'see' how they want their relationship to be but because they do not have the compass they can't get their.

Other Notes

' with bleached end-of-summer grass, bruised here and there with heather and age-old spills of purple granite' Very descriptive but the boy doesn't take notice of it. (Boys detachment from nature occurs throughout.)

- Is the detachment from nature because of a troubled family life? (Mum and dad divorcing,arguing) or is it just because he is interested in his dad?

'He is watching the man' - Trying to understand how a father behaves, what a father is.

Dad is introduced as 'Man'; 'He is watching the man: the way he strides to the gate' - Shows that the the relationship between father and son is not 'close'.

However changed to dad in 'The boy is intent. Watching Dad' - Veering from the 'man' to 'dad' - The boy is unsure.

'The boy misses a breath' - When dad almost gets something wrong the boy is worried - Hero-worshipping, Idolising Dad, Trying to believe that he is this 'perfect' human and that his mum is wrong about him.

'I brought my torch!' - The boy seeks appreciation from his Dad (hero)

'Mad, was calling it, as e knew she would' - Very common for children to be caught up in disputes between divorced parents. To constantly here contradicting views on events/actions that involve children etc.

- ' I found my torch' - Torch is mentioned a lot through out - Boy possibly finds comfort in the torch.

'Forced himself to put the torch into Jim's...hand' - The torch is reserved for dad? Only him and his dad can really experience the torch'

'Oh, says dad, good 'good' - Referring to torch - Dad is distracted through out. Takes little notice of the boy ( Some people have said it's because the dad is nasty) - I think the dad is concerned on making the experience so perfect that he is ignoring/distracted from his son. You can want something so much that you end up ruining it.

'Seared by the flitter of anxiety in the boys eyes' - Dad is nervous, has forgotten how he should react or possibly is embarrassed that he hasn't