1. The Carruthers’ past and present

Past:

– they once lived in England

– they came to Africa in order to live a better life

– Mr. Carruthers had been a regular soldier and had late become a farmer (p.79, l.8-13)

– In England he was invisibly supported by his family (p.79, l. 7)

– Mrs. Carruthers was healthy, “a pretty English girl” (p.80, l.31)

– Mr. Carruthers tried to live up to his family’s expactations

Present:

– they live in poverty, immigrated to an “isolated African farm” (p.80, l.33)

– they live in a four-roomed shack (temporary shelter, p.80, l.14)

– after leaving the army, Mr. Carruthers took low care of himself and of his dressing (p.80, l.     )

– Mrs. Carruthers is ill (depression)

– They have two children (two boys) who are described as ghosts

– They are not happy in Africa

2. The reasons for Mrs. Carruthers‘ illness

– she cannot cope with the conditions they live in

– “she did not want to get better” (p.80, l.23)

– she gives up any hope and stops fighting (p.80, l.27)

– stuck in “stoicism” (p.80, l.26)

– at first, she “faced the struggle humorously”(p.80, l.35), but later on when she saw everything become more and more “shabby” (p.81, l.1), her attitude becomes negative

– their living situation influences her illness

– her illness is a “failure of will” (p.82, l.25)

– she blames “the lunatic stiff pride of men” (p.93, l.47) for their situation

– “tears of […] release” (p.105, l.61) at the end of the story when Mr. Carruthers has written for a job at home and finally, there seems to be hope for a better life

– she completely relies on her husband

2. Reasons for Mrs Carruthers’ illness

– She has a psychological illness (depression)

– In her youth she dreamed of a safe and  comfortable life with a rich and successful soldier.

– At first she tried to cope with the difficulties on the farm, but now she has given up hope.

– Even the doctor said it is a sort of heart disease; her illness has only psychological reasons.

– At the end, when Mr Carruthers wants to return to Great Britain she begins to cry of thankfulness à release/showing human features…