Parallel dialogues | Open conversation: Approach each other through reminiscing about happy old days | Sub-conversation: Detach herself from the man with self-determination |
1) the initial dialogue about her “changed” or “not changed” (P3-P13) | changed: her appearance, health, and circumstance (P2, P6) | unchanged: her view of the character of the man, his trick of interrupting her (P9, P12) |
2) the dialogue about their first afternoon at Kew Gardens (P13-P15) | enjoyment for the man, “fine and warm”. (P13) | suffering for Vera, “absurd and indecent”. (P14) |
3) the dialogue about his travelling in Russia (P22-P46) | 1) the man: far better looking, confident, and successful. (P22, P25, P30) 2) the man: indifferent to the exacerbating circumstance of Vera (P40) | 1) Vera: deteriorating, and envious of the man’s travelling experiences. (P31, P36-39) 2) Vera: sensitive to music, and travelling (seems to empathize with him) (P33, P43) |
4) dialogue about the man’s childhood and their breakup (P47-58) | 1) The man has practically forgotten everything about their past love. (P49, P52 L2-3) 2) The man has pulled through their bitter breakup. (P52) 3) The man’s love is superficial and illusionary. (P57) | 1) Vera has always cherished that memory. (P48) 2) Vera has never truly recovered from the painful experience. (P53-54) 3) Vera is pleased with his words but not moved. (P58 purr) |
5) the final dialogue about the causes to the failure of their love (P59-64) | 1) The man makes it clear that he doesn’t intend to renew their past love. (P64 L1) 2) The man is an egoist and hasn’t a corner in his heart for anybody else. (P64 L3-4) | 1) Vera wavers for a moment on whether to give it another chance. (P60) 2) Vera is lonely but not self-engrossed; she is physically weak but spiritually alive; she doesn’t talk much but she is courageous enough to make her own choice in love. (P53-54, P65) |