Crossing to Safety

Charity’s condition worsens rapidly, and it becomes clear that she is nearing the end. Charity insists that the others go on the picnic without her. She believes that she is going to die soon and does not want to disrupt the plans she has made. Coincidentally, it is her birthday, which makes the conflict even more tragic and absurd. Sid and Charity begin to argue. For Sid, Charity’s last requests echo a pattern of their marriage:

 I never agreed to that! That’s your plan, not mine. How would I know when it’s time, as you put it? You never tell me honestly how you feel. You keep it a secret from me, how long you...You think it’s time now, and you want to send me out of a picnic? (303).

 For Charity, the issue is both habitual, and personal: “I don’t want to die where I’ve lived so much! […] All I want to do is go away quietly while the family is together and enjoying itself” (303). Charity wishes to remain in control of the situation, but Sid is determined to force her to think of what this means to him. However, as the pain renews, Charity falls silent, and Sid, moved by her suffering, relents.