The Main Idea in "A Way of Talking" and "A Game of Cards"

The main idea in both stories 'A Way of Talking' and 'A Game of Cards' is close relationships, especially within the family. This is important because we can understand how people think, and how we can overcome problems or family differences.

In 'A Way of Talking' Hera and Rose have a close relationship, Hera is proud of her sister and enjoys talking to her and listening to her. When Rose mimics the professors, the family laughs. By doing this, Rose is sharing her experiences in the big city with her rural dwelling family and making these authority figures (professors) seem less scary. The reader enjoys seeing the humour and laughter in the relationship, and seeing the closeness between the sisters. This relationship is tested when rose questions Jane's racist comment. "He's been down the road getting Maoris for scrub cutting." Hera is embarrassed 'I was wild with Rose' and wishes that Rose had kept quiet. Hera resents her sister's boldness initially but when she tries to tell her sister how she felt she gets a surprise. Rose says "Don't worry, Honey, she's got a thick hide." This comment makes Hera feel as if Rose "a lot older" than her. It opens her eyes to the fact that her sister is also "very hurt." This changes the relationship between the sisters, at least from Hera's point of view, and this new understanding probably brings them even closer.

In "A Game of Cards" there is also a close relationship between the narrator and the main character, Nanny Miro. The narrator loves his nanny very much and the reader gets the sense that he admires her too. Nanny Miro also loves the narrator. "Everybody used to say I was her favorite mokopuna,". We can see that they have a close relationship because of the affectionate teasing in the story. "It's only when I'm just about in my grave that you come to see me." The reader feels that though they obviously have a close relationship, they have not seen each other for quite a long time. "I couldn't see you last time I was home." However, the reader enjoys the way that the narrator makes it sound as if the relationship is still very close after all these years. This is why it is especially upsetting that Nanny Miro is very sick. The relationship is very important to the reader because of the love he has for his nanny and the happy memories he has of her. I think that the relationship was just as important to Nanny Miro because she felt loved and needed by the narrator.

Another close relationship in "A Game of Cards" is the relationship between Nanny Miro and her friend Mrs Heta. They play cards together all the time and are constantly teasing each other. "You cheat!... You keep your eyes to yourself Mako tiok bum!". The reader sees at the end of the story that although they are continuously calling each other names and poking fun at one another, they have a very close and special bond. We see this when Nanny Miro died. "Mrs Heta took the cards from Nanny's hands and kissed her." The reader gets an even clearer picture of how close they are when the narrator discusses Mrs Heta passing away. "She was buried right next to Nanny," This relationship is a source of fun and comfort for the two older women when they are alive. The relationship is a happy one that is filled with laughter and a common love of playing cards.

Throughout both stories the reader definitely gets a sense of how close relationships that the characters have impacts their lives. This idea allows the author to show many different sides of the various characters through their relationships with other. It makes the story more interesting and gives the characters a vulnerability which makes them seem more real.