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Allusions
Key Examples in The Rainbow
Chapter 3: Childhood of Anna Lensky
Explanation and Analysis—Fawce Little Thing:
The Rainbow is set in the East Midlands of England, the region where Lawrence was born and raised. In the novel, as in many of his other works, he captures the speaking patterns and dialects of the English working classes, and more specifically, of the working classes of the East Midlands. His use of this dialect is evident in a scene in which Anna accompanies Tom to the market:
‘My word, she’s a fawce little thing,’ the landlady would say to Brangwen.
‘Ay,’ he answered, not encouraging comments on the child. Then there followed the present of a biscuit, or of cake, which Anna accepted as her dues.
‘What does she say, that I’m a fawce little thing?’ the small girl asked afterwards.
‘She means you’re a sharp-shins.’
Anna hesitated. She did not understand. Then she laughed at some absurdity she found. Soon he took her every week to market with him.
