Samphire And The Silk Comparative

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In 'Samphire' by Patrick O'Brian and 'The Silk' by Joy Cowley, both authors present different ideas on problems faced in a married relationship. O'Brian looks at the problems faced when one member abuses their authority, for example Lacey, the husband, dominating Molly. O'Brian also looks into how the dynamics can change when something happens, in this case Molly's reaction. However Cowley looks at a healthy relationship, facing the issue of death. Herb and Amy are dealing with their upcoming parting, and are looking for a way to ensure that their love can continue spiritually after their physical love is gone. Both authors use various techniques to show the two types of relationships, one of abuse and one of coping with death. In 'Samphire', symbolism is used to represent the marriage of Lacey and Molly. The samphire was traditionally used as a way to purge illness, and thus the samphire is used to symbolise Lacey's input into the relationship as like an illness, and by purging Lacey from her relationship, she is purging the illness. Dolly "could hardly see, but as he[Lacey] began to get up her eyes focused." as she was removing her illness by removing Lacey from their relationship. O'Brian also uses the path to the samphire as a symbol of the dominance in the relationship. At the start Lacey "was walking a few feet ahead of her", as he was leading her up the hill, the dominant figure in the relationship, however after the dynamics have changed with Molly's reaction, the push, she starts to "walk down the path. [And] he followed at once." as now it is Molly who has the dominance, as Lacey is now afraid of the consequences of his constant abuse. O'Brian also uses the setting to help represent the marriage, as well as pathetic fallacy. The cliffs, "rising, straight up from the sea" isolate their relationship, forcing Molly to act, as no-one else will do
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