It's the Circle of...Tongues..

(O'Brien, 89-112)

During this passage the character Mary Anne is introduced, as one of the most understandable characters of the book. It is admirable how she adapts so quickly to the gruesome gore of the medical work. She becomes an independent mind and good worker, however, this is not excepted by her man Fossie. As Mary Anne becomes more knowledgeable about the war and its work, she starts to represent the changing image of women, and Fossie represents those who wished to keep traditional roles. And just as Mary Anne left Fossie, the traditional view is left behind as the world grew. The change is represented in a quote: "You got here blinders one about women. how gentle and peaceful they are. All that crap about how if we had a pussy for president there wouldn't be no more wars. Pure garbage. You got to rid of that sexist attitude" (O'Brien, 102). Mary Anne's symbolism is further carried out when she wears a necklace of tongues (EWW); she is finally speaking her mind and finally at peace. (Where the peace in that is...who knows..) Unfortunately she loses Fossie, who is deaf to her changed personally and the changing world.