The Collector - Opening Paragraph Analysis

             There are, so far, only two main characters, the narrator and "M". It would appear from the little information we are given that the narrator is a dull accountant or clerk working in an uninspiring environment. We gain this impression from the narrator's comments such as, "When I had a free moment from the files and ledgers.". Also from his comment "their house was right opposite the Town Hall Annexe," which suggests he does not have a very important role as his office is not even within the Town Hall itself but in an Annexe. The idea that he is dull and generally unnoticeable is further reinforced when he stands behind "M" in a queue and she fails to even notice his presence.
             The narrator's diction is simple and slightly clumsy, for example " used to look down over the road over the frosting- which suggests that maybe he is not well educated and may be from a lower social class than the object of his desire. When referring to M's hair his diction becomes notably more poetic and is in stark contrast to the rest of his diction, which is in the main very factual and dull. The fact that such a large part of the paragraph is devoted to M's hair gives the impression that he is almost passionate about it and this is illustrated by the way he uses similes to describe it, such as "It was very pale, silky, like burnet cocoons." and " it was so beautiful, like a mermaid." These similes help the reader visualise M's hair and, indeed, M herself by appealing to the reader's senses. "Burnet cocoons." stresses the silkiness of her hair and appeals to the reader's sense of touch, almost making the reader feel that they also would like to reach out and stroke it. ".it was so beautiful, like a mermaids." suggests how beautiful she and her hair are, as although mermaids are mythical figures they are always portrayed with long, beautiful and cascading locks.
             It is also evident that the narrator feels possessive towards M and he assumes that the reader can understand this and it is almost as if he is seeking the readers approval and sympathy.