by A. R. Barton
An ambitious Sophie struggles her way through facts and fantasies to win the affection of her family, especially her brother Geoff.
“But we know how it was, Danny and me — that’s the main thing. How can you help what people choose to believe?”
Answer the following questions:
1) Where was it most likely that the two girls would find work after school?
The two girls, Sophie and Jansie, were bound to work at the biscuit factory after school.
2) What were the options that Sophie was dreaming of? Why does Jansie discourage her from having such dreams?
Sophie was a highly ambitious girl. She wanted to break free from the shackles that held her back, and find her own path.
At first, Sophie thought of opening a boutique. When Jansie told her that it would require a lot of money, she switched over to the dream of becoming a manager. Again Jansie advised her that they would not give her that position directly.
Sophie then expressed her wish to become like Mary Quant who was an apprentice to Erik Braagaard, a popular hat designer, before becoming a fashion icon.
Upon being told by Jansie that they didn't pay well for shop work, and that her dad would never allow it, Sophie dreamt of becoming an actress as there was a lot of money in that. With this, she would have a boutique too on the side.
Jansie seems to be a level-headed and practical girl. She knows that both of them are destined to work in the biscuit factory. She constantly discourages Sophie from having such dreams. Having such wild and wavering ambitions would not get her anywhere. She urged her to be more sensible about her choices and plans.
3) Why did Sophie wriggle when Geoff told their father that she had met Danny Casey?
Sophie's father had hardly believed any of her stories before, and she knew he would not believe this one as well. Further, Sophie had told Geoff about Danny Casey thinking that it was something intimate that she had shared just with him, and it would remain between the two siblings. She had not expected him to share it with their father. This made her uncomfortable, and she wriggled in her seat.
4) Does Geoff believe what Sophie says about her meeting with Danny Casey?
Geoff does not believe Sophie. He stated it plainly to her. When Sophie told him about Danny, Geoff demanded to know the details. He asked her to tell him how he looked up close in order to verify.
5) Does her father believe her story?
No, even her father does not believe her story. When Geoff reveals that she met Danny Casey, he gives out an expression of disdain. He even asks her directly if this is another of her wild stories. Not only this, but he also claims that Geoff doesn't believe her even if he wants to.
6) How does Sophie include her brother Geoff in her fantasy of her future?
Sophie admires her brother Geoff, and respects him for his endeavors in the world beyond their locale. She was fascinated by those people he met, and places he visited simply because they appeared out of reach for her. Sophie wished to be admitted more deeply into Geoff's affections. She wanted to get so close to him that they would share a bond like never before. This would make him take her with him. She imagined riding with Geoff to the world beyond. He would be wearing shining black leather, and she a yellow dress with a cape. As they would reach, the world would rise to applaud their arrival.
Another instance is when Sophie shares about her meeting with Danny Casey, and later she tells him that Danny is coming to meet her again next week. Sophie knows that her family loves football, and Sophie meeting Danny would be a big deal for Geoff.
7) Which country did Danny Casey play for?
Danny Casey played for Ireland.
8) Why didn't Sophie want Jansie to know about her story with Danny?
First of all, Sophie considered this intimate detail to be something special shared only between her and Geoff. She did not want it to be known by others. She was even uncomfortable when Geoff had told her father, and now even Jansie knew it. Further, from what it seems Sophie considered Jansie to be a blabbermouth, and if she knew something like this, it would spread to the whole neighborhood.
9) Did Sophie really meet Danny Casey?
No, Sophie did not meet Danny Casey in real. She had made up this whole story all by herself with such self-conviction that she virtually lived it to some extent. There are evidences in the story, and a clear motive for this as well.
Sophie admired her brother Geoff for his lifestyle, his endeavors in the outer world, and the fact that he traversed beyond the place they lived. She so much wanted to get close to Geoff into his inner circle of affection, and share that kind of special bond with him. However, it was very difficult process as he spoke very little, and words had to be prized out of him. The whole family including Geoff was a big fan of football. Danny Casey was an emerging prodigy. Sophie made up the entire fantasy about meeting Danny Casey thinking that Geoff would come closer to her after knowing this. His love for football, and the prospect of his sister going out with a football star would make him talk more with her, and strengthen their bond.
There are clear evidences in the story that this is all a fantasy. First of all, neither Geoff nor their father believed what Sophie said. Their father even demanded to know if this was another of her wild stories. This means that she might have used such wild lies earlier as well for some reason. Further, all the three times that Sophie talks about her meeting with Danny, the details are slightly different. The first time she told Geoff, she did not mention about the autograph and their next meeting. The second time, she left out the part where she praised him and said that the whole family watched him every week. In addition to this, Sophie also claims that Danny told her about opening a shop, and that he doesn't know too many girls. However, there is no mention of this in all the three accounts of her encounter with Danny. Moreover, everything that she talks about his physical features, and his accent, could have easily been known through television interviews.
10) Which was the only occasion when she got to see Danny Casey in person?
It was when the whole family went to the stadium to watch United play a football match every week. Sophie, her father and little Derek used to occupy the stands near the goal. Geoff used to be on the upper stands with his friends.
11) Sophie and Jansie were class-mates and friends. What were the differences between them that show up in the story?
Sophie and Jansie were quite different from each other. Sophie was very ambitious, but wavered between her dreams. She indulged in fantasies of the future about the careers she would have, and the life she would lead. She dreamt to break all the social barriers, and rise beyond her ordinary working-class status by becoming a fashion designer or an actress.
Jansie, on the other hand, appeared to be a level-headed girl who was practical and realistic in her approach. She was the one more sensible and mature of the two and pulled Sophie back to the ground reality. It was her who tried to convince Sophie that her outrageous dreams were not suited to the social strata they belonged to.
12) How would you describe the character and temperament of Sophie’s father?
Sophie's father had a plump face which was still grimy and full of sweat from day's work indicating that he worked in some sort of a mine or on a field. He was not a man of polished manners or sophistication. Her way of talking and body language appeared a little rough and aggressive. He was incredulous of Sophie's wild stories. He was an ardent fan of football, and wished that young footballers like Danny Casey focused more on their careers while avoiding all distractions. He was such a passionate fan that he shouted instructions while watching, and jumped with joy when his team scored.
13) Why did Sophie like her brother Geoff more than any other person? From her perspective, what did he symbolise?
Sophie admired her brother Geoff a lot. He spoke very little, and was mostly occupied with his own thoughts and in his own world. Sophie was jealous of his silence, because that meant that she could not get closer to know him and the world he went out to. She longed to be there with him at the unknown and fascinating new places. She wanted to get into the closer circle of his affection, and share a special bond with him, be an important part of his life. She even included him in all her fantasies of the future. They would wear glamorous clothes, and go out to the world where they would be welcomed by a huge applause. For Sophie, Geoff symbolised liberty, pursuit of ambitions, and doing something larger than life, something quite different from their dull and mundane day-to-day existence.
14) What socio-economic background did Sophie belong to? What are the indicators of her family’s financial status?
Sophie and his family are from a typical bourgeoisie class. Every detail of their house and mannerisms depicts that they belong to a lower middle-class socio-economic background. Their house is small with five members in it, including her parents and two brothers, Derek and Geoff. Their kitchen appears to be full of steam from the stove, and there are dirty dishes piled in a corner. Her mother's back has become stooped and bent by handling all the household chores and responsibilities on her own. Her father is a laborer working on some kind of a field or in a mine. Her elder brother, Geoff, works as an apprentice mechanic in a garage situated far away from his house. Her family wants Sophie to join work immediately after her school. When Sophie shares her ambitions with the family, his father authoritatively tells her that if she comes across some money, she should buy them a decent house first.
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