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)