The photographs also act as a contrast to the mysterious adult life that Mrs Hayward apparently leads. The first photo that Stephen looks as suggests a sense of innocence in Mrs Hayward as she is described to be wearing “long white gloves that cover her bare arms up and a wide brimmed summer hat several sizes too big for her”. This youthful and innocent past makes Stephen feel quite uneasy, and he describes seeing Mrs Hayward and Auntie Dee as children as “improper” and almost embarrassing as they are “caught out in a childish pretence”.
Not only do the photographs act as a contrast to the past and present, but they also link them because although the photos are of the past, there are obvious personality traits that show through in each photo that is described which the reader can easily associate with the characters they have been introduced to so far. The second batch of photographs that Stephen looks at portrays this greatly. Mr Hayward, Keith’s father, is never actively mentioned in the photographs, but by Stephen’s description of the “lifeless clipped grey hair and ironic smile” the reader immediately recognises that he is referring to Mr Hayward because of previous references in the story to his “lifeless” and menacing character. This is also apparent with Uncle Peter, as he is described as “lounging boyishly”, which, as the reader knows, is a trait that he still holds as a mature adult in the present. This link with the past and present helps the reader familiarise themselves with the characters and also provides them with a small background story; making their character much more three-dimensional.
Finally, we can see the strong contrast between Uncle Peter and Auntie Dee, and Mr and Mrs Hayward just through looking at the descriptions of the figures in the photographs. Auntie Dee and Uncle Peter have continuously been portrayed as the more extroverted and relaxed duo, and this is apparent, especially in the photo of Uncle Peter where is he said to be “standing on his head” with Auntie Dee “holding him by the ankles”, however the most apparent contrast between the two couples can be seen in the wedding photos of each couple. The description of wedding photo of Mr and Mrs Hayward states that Mrs Hayward was a “serious young bride” who’s arm was tucked “demurely” through the arm of Mr Hayward, who is again referenced by his “ironic smile”. This is contrasted with the wedding photo of Auntie Dee and
Uncle Peter, where Auntie Dee is described as “a little bolder looking” and “a little more up to date”. It is immediately recognised by the reader that the man next to her us Uncle Peter, as again he is illustrated as “boyish”.
This severe contrast of characters shown in the photographs again portrays the difference between the two couples, and also explains to the reader that all four adults have been this way for many years, which again enriches their background story as a character.
In conclusion, the photographs in chapter three play an important part in developing and adding to each character, and highlighting the contrasts between them to create a much more realistic feel for the reader. Also, the effective irony of the photos almost “spying” on the boys helps to craft the theme of secrets and spying which is kept up throughout the entire book.
