Space

In the hypertext Same Day Test, I have made a distinction between two types of spaces due to the space is a secondary part of the work, since the text follows a linear time.

So, with this distinction we can see explicit and implicit spaces along the work.

The author uses space changes for changing the situation of the work. That means that when we are reading the text, the author gives the reader two options of continuing with the work. Those two options are a different space from the one that we are. So each time the protagonist may change the place of the action the author gives us two different places to go, so we can draw the textual line that the protagonist will follow.

Before going into the work itself, the author gives the possibility of clicking on Gabrielle, where the author makes a brief introduction in which it explains why the protagonist, Houston, needs a HIV test. Gabrielle was his last partner, who was infected by the virus. From this point is where the plot begins, the protagonist must do a test, but he is scared of the result.

The explicit items that we can see along the text are:

· Infirmary

· Work (he repairs PCs)

· Lunch ( at a sandwich bar)

· The beach

· Hospital

· Jill( another relationship he had, he makes a little remembering of how did he enjoyed his relationship with Jill)

· Jill’s house

· Shops

· Pub

· Museum

· Princess street garden

· Bus station

To do the implicit space line I have chosen to follow all the links on the left hand, so I have followed one of the possible lectures that the text has.

The author alternates past simple tenses when Tom remembers for example, Gabrielle, or Jill, or something he done in the past uses the past tense alternating with the present tense while he explains us what is he doing.

Gavin doesn’t describe the places. We know where Tom is due to the context. For example, we know he is at home standing next to the phone because he receives a phone call, or by this sentence I tell the receptionist I want an AIDS test we deduce he is standing at the reception of the Hospital

Sometimes, along the text, he gives some instructions to locate the protagonist:

“standing in the hall, holding the phone.”

We can see a little description (the only one it has the way I have chosen) of a waiting room.

“The waiting room has blue walls. Light blue. There are partitions covered in the same paper but it’s peeled off the back of the one I’m sitting behind. They’re new chairs, with light blue cushioning which doesn’t quite match the walls”

With this election the protagonist finally doesn’t know the result. He arrives late. That’s why time is so important in this text and space is irrelevant.