Nettle can mean two things, one the action of irritating someone, and two is a wild plant with little hairs on the leaf that sting when they are touched. Nettle shows both these qualities when he along with mace and turner stay at the barn of a french family during their retreat to Dunkirk during the war. At the start McEwan describes him as small but then later in the passage when Nettle swears about the bread indicates how although he is small, indicating the tiny hairs one can't normally see, he is very fierce and can be very dangerous, just like the sting of a stinging nettle.
When Nettle starts to talk he starts "Rambling" which explores the idea of him being very annoying and irritating at times because he doesn't know when to stop but at the same time it is only slightly annoying, not a full out thing. Turner calls Nettle a dolt behind his back which again explores the idea of Nettle being annoying and someone you wouldn't want to spend very much time with.
Although the name nettle represents bad and evil things we see a side to Nettle that doesn't fit his name. As the two brothers leave after sharing a meal with the corperals and turner in the barn Nettle gives them a gift of cigarette packets which doesn't which doesn't fit the character of someone how is painful, annoying and thorny
6 comments:
Maybe 'nettle' is annoying, but similar to the plant, he is not poisonous, meaning he is harmless and nice.
I agree with charlotte. Its some thing that clings onto you, so perhaps is a nuisance, but you can get on with it.
As Charlotte and Christiana have mentioned, 'Nettle' is simply an annoying character. One who you wouldn't have to have around for very long. However when you mention that he gives a packet of cigarettes, it simply portrays another side of his personality. As a result it does not mean that "Nettle" is simply an irritating character.
Nice exploration of Nettle rambling on about things and Robbie calling him a dolt. Maybe Nettle is only annoying on the outside but nice on the inside as he gives them cigarettes?
Good ideas. I think your first paragraph was interesting about the hairs, I never thought about it is that way...
A well structured and clear response. I especially like your interpretation of Nettle's connection with a 'wild plant'.
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