Speaking and Listening

The trouble with trust

On page 16, Sophie's father expresses his anger at her for going out into the countryside. He is terrified that her disability will be discovered resulting in dire consequences for her and the whole family. When David brings her home, her father says to her, 'Have you lost your mind, you stupid … How many times have we told you? How many times!'

Activity

• In pairs or groups of three, use this line as a starting point for an improvised conversation between Sophie and her parents in which she asks for permission to go out for a walk alone. What arguments would Sophie want to use to try and persuade her parents that she can be trusted? How would they, in turn, attempt to convince her that they are right to keep her hidden at home?
• Prepare your improvisations and share them with the rest of the group. Discuss how the argument between Sophie and her parents is similar to ones you have at home even though the situation is, on the face of it, very different.
• Do you think Sophie’s father is right to try and protect her in the way he does? What other options does he have to stop her and the rest of the family being banished?
• How do you feel about Sophie’s actions? Perhaps you understand her need to have time and space of her own, but would you be able to justify endangering yourself and your family in this way?