Analysing characters
Beryl Clarke, Contributor

Our focus this week is on that small group of girls and boys - Mutants - of which David and his cousin and girlfriend, Rosalind, are a part. This group is linked because they possess what we refer to as telepathy. To them, communicating by thought shapes is as easy as we find talking or breathing. There are eight of them, excluding Walter Brent (a distant relation of David), who had been killed. The other six are Michael, Sally, Katherine, Mark and the two sisters, Anne and Rachel.

These children are set apart from their society in the sense that they possess an ability that no one else has. There are a few others whose capacity is so limited that it is insignificant. They have instinctively, and in David's case with warnings from his sister and Uncle Axel, learnt to keep silent about this difference between them and the Norms.

Hard situation

The situation in which the telepaths find themselves is not an easy one. As young as they are, they have to ensure that their secret remains just that - a secret. Their parents couldn't know; they probably had to lie to protect themselves and often must be tense and frightened. Two things then happen that seriously affect them. One is the discovery that Petra, David's younger sister, has the same power of communication, but in vastly superior strength. The other is that Anne decides to marry Alan, who is not only an unlikable fellow, but is also not a member of their set. There are consequences, of course, of both situations.

The telepaths immediately see the danger of such a relationship to Anne. She is, however, too much in love to admit that she could never be herself if she marries Alan; nor could she see the problems that would arise because of the difference between them. This forces us to realise that the attitude of the society towards mutants creates problems even for those who are not openly known.

Difficult situation

Such a mindset leads to divisions, hatred, disappointment, fears, even cruelty and death. Can you understand why Anne thinks that she cannot put her mutant power above her desire to marry Alan? She tells us that there are two more females than males in their group and those two females would not be able to find husbands who are like them.

What would you do if you were to find yourself in a similar situation? The telepaths do not get together by choice, ever! You may ask, why not? Becoming united does seem the logical step to take so that they can provide support for each other and become friends. But no, there is a downside. If they begin to associate, they are likely to draw unwanted interest to themselves, and remember they can be in touch any time they want to be.

Can you imagine how Mr Strorm would react if he were to learn that his son and the daughter of his enemy are meeting, especially since there is no obvious link between them? How could any member of this faction explain why they get together without lying and arousing suspicion? Just think of what happens when Jerome Skinner sees some of them as they went to Petra's assistance. He behaves as if they are doing something wrong. Apparently, he does not accept their explanation for being there.

Questions

We learn this later when Joe Darnley begins to ask questions, and afterwards when Katherine and Sally are arrested. Although we do not have conclusive proof, it seems, from what Michael says, that Skinner is responsible for this development.

If he [Jerome Skinner] is the source then he must have put his suspicions before the inspector in this district who will have handed it in as a routine report to the inspector in yours. That'll mean that several people are wondering about it already and there'll be questions going on here about Sally and Katherine ...

Do notice how well organised the Norms are in their zeal to root out blasphemies! They do have a problem in this case though, for one cannot look at a telepathic Mutant or hear him speak and know that he is different. These Mutants have to give themselves away. Unfortunately, this does not prevent them from feeling out of place or even from suffering because, as in Anne's situation, they can never be open and totally honest with anyone outside of their immediate circle.

In another lesson we will consider the threat to the others posed by Anne's marriage. Continue, meanwhile, to read and analyse the characters and their actions.

Let love and kindness rule in your actions towards others and God bless!

From left: Al Miller, national director, National Transformation Programme; ACP Clarence Taylor; ACP John Mclean and Sean Osner, deputy director, Office of Sustainable Development, USAID Jamaica, look at posters during the launch of the National Schools' Poster and Essay competitions, under the theme 'Community Policing and Community Safety - A Fresh Start for Jamaica', at the Hilton Kingston on Friday, October 17. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Beryl Clarke teaches at Glenmuir High School.