Questions About The Night Watch

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Answered Questions (6)

Can someone explain what the following means?! Auntie Vi says it when discussing Duncan in prison, whilst saying that he is grieving for his lover who died : "Haven't you ever seen her in Mailbags One? Stitch, stitch, stitch she goes, with her little white hand; and at night, my dears I swear she creeps back over there and pulls all the stitches out". Is it because they get in trouble if the stitches aren't right?!

Roger It's clearly a reference to the Odyssey: Penelope's ploy of promising to choose a suitor when her weaving is finished, while she secretly unravels a p…moreIt's clearly a reference to the Odyssey: Penelope's ploy of promising to choose a suitor when her weaving is finished, while she secretly unravels a portion of her work every night to delay finishing. This is usually seen as a expression of fidelity to her husband. In this context it is easy to see Auntie Vi as an impatient suitor. (Shudders.) (less)

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Does anyone know what the significance of Kay's ring? I know she gave it to Viv, but where did Kay get the ring from and why was it important to her?

Susan During the concert in the park scene in Part 1, we learn that lesbian women wore gold or silver rings on the pinky finger to identify themselves to ea…moreDuring the concert in the park scene in Part 1, we learn that lesbian women wore gold or silver rings on the pinky finger to identify themselves to each other. Kay's ring was the only way she had to tell people who she was. When she gave the ring to Viv in an incredible act of kindness (Kay is like that), she feels suddenly naked and unlucky. Then on the very same night, she loses both her home and her lover. When Viv returns the ring to her she is deeply moved, but it also brings back all those terrible memories. And then, perhaps she finally begins to deal with them, although we never really find out what happened to her after that. (less)

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What is the opening sentence?

Liz So this, said Kay to herself, is the sort of person you’ve become: a person whose clocks and wrist-watches have stopped, and who tells the time, inste…moreSo this, said Kay to herself, is the sort of person you’ve become: a person whose clocks and wrist-watches have stopped, and who tells the time, instead, by the particular kind of cripple arriving at her landlord’s door.(less)

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