Response to Joseph Conrad's Amy Foster
...d an unstoppable desire to stare and study him which made an approximation impossible since this would prove very tiring and uncomfortable for both parties. Locals avoided being in the presence of the foreigner as much as any human would avoid being in the presence of a new breed of animal or even an alien from another planet. The interaction kept the locals on guard for extraordinary reactions they expected to arise from the outsider. The inhabitants were disturbed by Yago’s foreign body language by lying on his back during his dinner hour and stare at the sky, wear his coat over his shoulder, leap over the stiles, wear his hat cocked on the left ear, make the sign of the cross and even pray out loud. Our demeanor plays a more important role in communication at times, than language itself. Something as casual as the way he chose to wear his attire, offended and alarmed the locals. In a small town such as Breznett conformity is survival. Any deviation from standard behavior gives the bored townspeople something or better yet, someone to talk about. The foreigner was a clear target and the more they criticized him the further they alienated him. If someone in Breznett had chosen to act in such a matter, it would not have caused such a stir, but since he was an outsider, his refusal to conform just inflamed their fear and rejection towards him. The foreigner’s fate was finally determined by how odd his language sounded to the villagers. He lost his wife’s affection because he tried to teach his child the strange dialect and because he chose to express himself using it at certain times. Tragically, he lost his life requesting a zip of water ...