Pale Horse, Pale Rider

by

Katherine Anne Porter

A nurse who cares for Miranda when she is ill. Like Dr. Hildesheim, Tanner has cared for so many influenza patients that she’s adopted an almost overly-objective, no-nonsense attitude towards the ill. Miranda hallucinates that Tanner’s hands are “white tarantulas.” At the end of the story, Tanner inserts a needle into Miranda’s arm and returns her to consciousness once and for all.
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Miss Tanner Character Timeline in Pale Horse, Pale Rider

The timeline below shows where the character Miss Tanner appears in Pale Horse, Pale Rider. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Pale Horse, Pale Rider
Alienation Theme Icon
...her, tells her that Adam came to visit her and left a note. The nurse, Miss Tanner , reads the note because Miranda cannot see straight. The note reveals that Adam tried... (full context)
The Pain of Living  Theme Icon
Miranda briefly regains consciousness to apologize to Dr. Hildesheim. She sees Miss Tanner at her side and says, “I know those are your hands […] but to me... (full context)
Alienation Theme Icon
The Pain of Living  Theme Icon
...forgotten the dead, oh, the dead, where are they?” Miranda feels a sudden pain as Miss Tanner administers an injection to her arm, and she regains consciousness. (full context)
Alienation Theme Icon
The Denial of Death Theme Icon
The Pain of Living  Theme Icon
Once more, Miranda awakes in her hospital room. She hears noises, voices, and commotion. Miss Tanner tells her that the war is over as joyful voices outside sing “My country, ‘tis... (full context)