Question

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:

‘Did that account partly for her great unhappiness, her sense of inadequacy, in the world of other children?’

1. Why did Marian feel inadequate?
2. In what way was Anne responsible for Marian’s unhappiness?
3. Was Anne aware of her role in this regard?

Answer 1

1. Marian felt inadequate because her deafness and inability to speak made it difficult for her to communicate, join other children’s games and follow their conversations.
2. Anne’s wistful disappointment that Marian was not the confident, “golden” child she had imagined contributed to Marian’s unhappiness; Marian had sensed that her mother might prefer Freda.
3. Anne had not realised how deeply Marian had understood her feelings until Marian asked, “Would you rather have her than me?”