What purpose does p125 have to the novel Wise Children?

Carter's use of The Dream bridges the gap between reality and the many examples of magical realism throughout Wise Children, it is a 'vehicle for insinuating the supernatural or paranormal into normal reality'. This is a into the extract with the contrasting statements given that 'It was all to literal for me' and Dora's retelling of when 'one poor chap fell into the toilet'. Certainly Part 3 does converge the literal and the magical in a manner which is not achieved to the same degree in the other parts of the novel.

Wise Children is a book of duality, and this extract provides the reader with much of the contrasting images and ideas that they learn to expect from the story. There is, of course, the contrast given between the literal world of Hollywood and the 'illusion' of the theatre which is so dear to the narrator's heart. Carter explores the legitimacy of many art forms in this novel, the theatrical, which eventually submits to popular culture (as shown in Melchior's appearance on "Lashings of Lolly'), the cinematic, which is subverted and ridiculed (PhD students who study The Dream are mocked by Carter's narrator) and even the novel itself (which seems to be the only one of these art forms which emerges with respect after the story is over). This extract provides only a hint of these critical examinations and yet it is very effective in doing so. Carter cleverly manages to build up a feeling of suspense when talking of the theatre (through use of listing techniques and ellipsis) and this serves to stir emotions in the reader similar to those being described, then, when an unfeeling, one line "it was all too literal for me' is given to describe the film, the author's opinions of Hollywood as art are made clear.

There are also contrasts between youth and age, which has been previously touched upon. The re-written saying of 'tomorrow never comes' to 'oh yes, tomorrow does come alright' provides a humorous yet illustrative example of these parallels, which are, fleetingly, connected whilst watching the film.

Language is also contrasted in this extract, the reader is aware from the first page of the often bawdy nature of the narrative, and yet, every now and again glimpses of elevated and educated language are given (which, in the story, is attributed to Dora's education from Irish). When referring to youth, the Greek derived word 'ephemeral' is used, revealing a vocabulary which does not follow the type of language which has become expected by the reader. Perhaps it is that youth is held in such high regard that the narrator feels only this language suitable. If this is the case then if would appear that they are somewhat scathing of old age when the reader is told 'tomorrow...lasts a bloody long time' and that more crude language is unearthed.

Another aspect of this novel which cannot be escaped from is Shakespeare, he permeates the novel in a way that no other theme does. This extract does contain some allusion to Shakespeare, namely A Midsummer Night's Dream, through the mention of The Dream and the quote 'You spotted snakes with double tongue, thorny hedgehogs, be not seen'. Admittedly these example are not representative of some the more complex ways in which Carter weaves Shakespeare into the fabric of this book, but they do serve to show some of the sheer volume of allusion which is casually dropped into the story.

This extract highlights and expands upon many of the key ideas which run through this book and I feel that is the main reason why it has been included in the novel. It's colloquial style continues to further pull the reader into an intimate relationship with the narrative and elements of magical realism serve to test the strength of their willing suspension of disbelief.