The Social World Around the Farm

Foster

A sequence of encounters shows how community expectations intrude on private life and how the Kinsellas protect the girl within them.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Questions in Gorey The Questions in Gorey from "Foster". The Questions in Gorey A stranger’s assumption A woman asks whose child the girl is and tells Edna that the child must be company for her.

The Questions in Gorey from "Foster". The Questions in Gorey A stranger’s assumption A woman asks whose child the girl is and tells Edna that the child must be company for her.

The Questions in Gorey A stranger’s assumption A woman asks whose child the girl is and tells Edna that the child must be company for her. Edna stiffens at the remark. Public scrutiny The encounter exposes the way neighbors classify households and children. Edna refuses to let the girl be reduced to a substitute for someone else.

The Wake Invitation The Wake Invitation from "Foster". The Wake Invitation A request for practical help A neighbor asks John to help dig a grave because her family is away working.

The Wake Invitation from "Foster". The Wake Invitation A request for practical help A neighbor asks John to help dig a grave because her family is away working.

The Wake Invitation A request for practical help A neighbor asks John to help dig a grave because her family is away working. The household’s day of shopping turns toward a death in the community. Obligations accepted John agrees to help, and Edna brings the girl along. The event shows how rural community ties can redirect private plans without asking permission from children.

The Wake’s Adult World The Wake’s Adult World from "Foster". The Wake’s Adult World Death among ordinary talk The kitchen holds a coffin, food, lemonade, stout, and conversation about farming and politics.

The Wake’s Adult World from "Foster". The Wake’s Adult World Death among ordinary talk The kitchen holds a coffin, food, lemonade, stout, and conversation about farming and politics.

The Wake’s Adult World Death among ordinary talk The kitchen holds a coffin, food, lemonade, stout, and conversation about farming and politics. The girl watches adults treat the wake as both mourning and gathering. A child’s discomfort She grows bored and uneasy on John’s lap. The adults’ social world is not designed around her, despite the care she receives.

Mildred’s Interrogation Mildred’s Interrogation from "Foster". Mildred’s Interrogation Curiosity turns intrusive Mildred asks about the Kinsellas’ money, cards, freezer, and rooms.

Mildred’s Interrogation from "Foster". Mildred’s Interrogation Curiosity turns intrusive Mildred asks about the Kinsellas’ money, cards, freezer, and rooms.

Mildred’s Interrogation Curiosity turns intrusive Mildred asks about the Kinsellas’ money, cards, freezer, and rooms. The girl answers until the questions turn toward the child’s clothes. Gossip as conflict Mildred reveals the dead son’s story in a blunt manner. Her curiosity gives the girl knowledge but also burdens her with an adult history she did not seek.

The Kinsellas’ Response The Kinsellas’ Response from "Foster". The Kinsellas’ Response A careful return John collects the girl from Mildred’s house and thanks her for taking the child.

The Kinsellas’ Response from "Foster". The Kinsellas’ Response A careful return John collects the girl from Mildred’s house and thanks her for taking the child.

The Kinsellas’ Response A careful return John collects the girl from Mildred’s house and thanks her for taking the child. He asks whether she was all right and whether Mildred told her anything. Protection without denial When the girl repeats the story, the Kinsellas do not punish her for knowing it. Their restraint protects her from being made responsible for their grief.

the Saturday shopping trip

the afternoon the neighbor asks for help

the evening of the wake

the walk back from the wake

the evening after the wake