Seeing the Person Behind the Label

Small Things Like These

From rumors about the laundry girls to Sarah Redmond’s own name and needs, the story traces a movement from social categories toward attention to individual personhood.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Girls as a Category The Girls as a Category from "Small Things Like These". The Girls as a Category Talk without faces Town residents refer to the girls at the convent through labels and rumors.

The Girls as a Category from "Small Things Like These". The Girls as a Category Talk without faces Town residents refer to the girls at the convent through labels and rumors.

The Girls as a Category Talk without faces Town residents refer to the girls at the convent through labels and rumors. Their individual histories are largely absent from public conversation. Distance maintained Categorizing the girls makes their treatment easier to discuss without responding to any one person. Social distance becomes a form of protection for those who would rather not intervene.

A Plea with a Voice A Plea with a Voice from "Small Things Like These". A Plea with a Voice One girl speaks A girl asks Bill Furlong to take her away and says she has nobody.

A Plea with a Voice from "Small Things Like These". A Plea with a Voice One girl speaks A girl asks Bill Furlong to take her away and says she has nobody.

A Plea with a Voice One girl speaks A girl asks Bill Furlong to take her away and says she has nobody. Her personal words disrupt the abstract stories told about the institution. A voice not yet answered Bill Furlong’s refusal leaves the plea unresolved. Even when an individual becomes visible, recognition alone does not ensure that anyone will act.

Sarah Gives Her Name Sarah Gives Her Name from "Small Things Like These". Sarah Gives Her Name A name beyond the institution When Bill Furlong asks, the girl says that she goes by one name inside, then gives him her own: Sarah…

Sarah Gives Her Name from "Small Things Like These". Sarah Gives Her Name A name beyond the institution When Bill Furlong asks, the girl says that she goes by one name inside, then gives him her own: Sarah…

Sarah Gives Her Name A name beyond the institution When Bill Furlong asks, the girl says that she goes by one name inside, then gives him her own: Sarah Redmond. She also identifies the area her people come from. Personhood reclaimed Naming does not free her, but it creates a relation that the institution’s categories cannot fully absorb. Bill Furlong can no longer think of her only as a convent girl.

The Town Looks at Her The Town Looks at Her from "Small Things Like These". The Town Looks at Her Recognition in public Neighbors notice Sarah Redmond’s bare feet and identify her as one of the laundry girls.

The Town Looks at Her from "Small Things Like These". The Town Looks at Her Recognition in public Neighbors notice Sarah Redmond’s bare feet and identify her as one of the laundry girls.

The Town Looks at Her Recognition in public Neighbors notice Sarah Redmond’s bare feet and identify her as one of the laundry girls. Their attention often stops at recognition rather than inquiry. Individual and label collide Sarah is physically beside Bill Furlong, yet strangers still see a category. The scene reveals how difficult it is to move from seeing someone to acknowledging her needs.

Walking Beside Sarah Walking Beside Sarah from "Small Things Like These". Walking Beside Sarah A person accompanied Bill Furlong continues to support Sarah through the town, accepting the visibility of her condition and his…

Walking Beside Sarah from "Small Things Like These". Walking Beside Sarah A person accompanied Bill Furlong continues to support Sarah through the town, accepting the visibility of her condition and his…

Walking Beside Sarah A person accompanied Bill Furlong continues to support Sarah through the town, accepting the visibility of her condition and his association with her. He does not hide the person he is helping. Recognition made relational The rescue treats Sarah as someone whose safety matters, not as a rumor or institutional case. The ending leaves her future uncertain while affirming the importance of standing beside her now.

early December 1985

the Sunday before Christmas late morning

Christmas Eve night

the final moments of Christmas Eve