Low Visibility Essay

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”Low Visibility” – an essay The short story ”Low Visibility” by Margaret Murphy, tell us the story of standing up against suppression , seen through the eyes of Laura, which remains unnamed until just before the end of the story. She’s the wife of John, a submissive wife to a violent man, who dares not to speak or do anything because of fear, who takes the pain and the daily reprimands in silence, who can’t express her own thoughts or opinions, due to years of getting beaten up, talked down to, being sexually abused and so on, by her own husband – she has simply been stripped of her self-confidence and everything. She used to be a girl full of life and energy, with a lot of humour and laughter all around her, joyful and happy, and she dared to stand up against people; all this gradually disappeared day by day, when she went into this marriage. They’re watching the local news on TV this evening, with John being in charge as always, having his hands full – one on the remote control and one holding a firm grip on her thigh. They see a big protesting crowd, some wear masks and most are armed, making riots in the streets, burning cars, throwing mono cocktails at the police, beat up whoever that comes in their way. While the riots move towards their part of the city, shops and supermarkets are being emptied, the tension is rising, the smell of burned fuel and soot reaches her, when she suddenly jumps because of the sound of a glass being smashed – and John slaps her. He has made his comments now and then and all along, now he drills his fingers right into her very bone almost, making her sit still, even though she’s full of pain and also wants to show her sympathy for the protesters. They can hear them in the shop below; he lowers the volume of the TV, moves to the window, opens it and shouts: “Get out of there, you robbing bastards!” and soon we find John going
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