Long Island
Part Five:ii
by Tóibín, ColmThe chapter opens with a candid conversation among Eilis, Larry, and Rosella as they travel from the airport. Larry shares details from a book about the Great Hunger, revealing the dire circumstances of the Famine when people were said to have resorted to extreme measures for survival. Eilis is skeptical about Larry’s reading but listens as he discusses the grim realities depicted in the book. The siblings also discuss the political context, including Bernadette Devlin’s activism, reflecting on the social and historical differences between Northern and Southern Ireland. Eilis advises secrecy regarding their grandmother’s ignorance of current events, emphasizing respect for her pride and sensitivity.
As the journey continues, Eilis quietly contemplates the absence of communication from Tony, their father, and the unspoken tensions within the family. The narrative shifts to a more intimate setting with Eilis recalling her encounter with Jim Farrell at the Montrose Hotel. Their interaction is tender and tentative, marked by a mix of affection and restraint. Eilis is aware of the complexities surrounding her position and the challenges of leaving her mother’s house, yet she embraces the moment with Jim, savoring their connection despite the uncertainties.
Jim’s confidence contrasts with Eilis’s cautiousness as they dine at a quiet Italian restaurant. Their conversation touches on politics, with Jim expressing surprise at the Watergate scandal’s exposure and reflecting on the differing perspectives between Ireland and America. Eilis grapples with the muted public awareness of the Northern Ireland conflict in her current environment, noting the contrast with the American Irish community’s preoccupation with the issue. Jim recounts the fleeting attention given to Belfast refugees, highlighting the community’s shifting responses to political crises.
The chapter concludes with Eilis experiencing a moment of unexpected anticipation for the evening ahead, signaling a subtle shift in her emotional state. Her reflections reveal a growing complexity in her identity and relationships, underscored by the interplay of personal desires and external pressures. The narrative balances historical context, family dynamics, and intimate moments, weaving a nuanced portrayal of Eilis’s life as she navigates between past and present, home and abroad.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter depict the historical context of the Great Hunger, and what impact does this have on the characters’ understanding of their heritage?
Answer:
The chapter references the Great Hunger (the Irish Famine) through the conversation between Larry and Eilis, where Larry reads from a book stating that during that time, people were so desperate they resorted to eating anything they could find, including each other. This historical context introduces a grim reality of their ancestors’ suffering, highlighting the severity of the famine. The characters’ discussion reveals differing perspectives: Larry’s book is factual and harsh, while Rosella’s book by Bernadette Devlin inspires admiration and hope. This contrast deepens their understanding of their heritage, mixing painful history with pride and resilience, shaping their identity as Irish descendants.2. What role does secrecy and protection of family dignity play in the chapter, particularly regarding the grandmother and her home?
Answer:
Secrecy and protection of family dignity are central themes in the chapter. Eilis explicitly instructs Rosella and Larry not to mention any troubling news to their grandmother, emphasizing that she is old, proud, and sensitive, and that it would upset her. Furthermore, Eilis notes the grandmother’s house has not been redecorated for years, suggesting a humble, possibly strained household. This protective silence reflects a cultural respect for elders and a desire to preserve family honor despite difficulties, indicating that emotional safeguarding is as important as physical care within the family dynamic.3. Analyze the significance of Eilis’s interactions with Jim Farrell and how they reflect her internal conflict about belonging and identity.
Answer:
Eilis’s interactions with Jim Farrell reveal her complex feelings about belonging and identity. Their intimate moments in the hotel room and later at the Italian restaurant show a tentative connection and comfort, yet Eilis remains cautious, mindful of her mother’s home and the social expectations she faces. Her comment about becoming American “when I got to vote against Nixon” suggests a shifting self-identity influenced by political and cultural experiences abroad. Meanwhile, her surprise at the lack of visible political unrest in Ireland contrasts with her awareness of the conflict in America. These interactions underscore her dual existence between two worlds, highlighting her internal struggle to reconcile her Irish roots with her new life.4. In what ways does the chapter illustrate the differing perspectives on Irish political and social issues between characters and locations?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts perspectives on Irish political and social issues through dialogue and setting. Larry and Rosella discuss historical discrimination and housing issues, with Rosella citing Bernadette Devlin’s claim that Catholics in Northern Ireland faced barriers in housing, which Eilis clarifies is not the case in the South. Jim Farrell’s recounting of the political atmosphere in his pub, including the initial heated debates about the North and the temporary support for displaced Catholics, shows a community’s fluctuating engagement with the Troubles. Eilis’s observation that political strife seems less visible in her hometown than in America reflects a geographic and experiential divide, illustrating how political awareness and attitudes vary depending on location and personal context.5. How does the chapter use setting and atmosphere to enhance the emotional tone of Eilis’s experiences?
Answer:
The chapter effectively uses setting and atmosphere to deepen the emotional tone of Eilis’s experiences. The journey from the airport through Ashford and Arklow, where Rosella and Larry fall asleep, creates a quiet, reflective mood, emphasizing the weight of their unspoken family tensions. The hotel room scene, with its small size and intimacy, contrasts with the anonymity of the city and the dimly lit Italian restaurant, where privacy allows Eilis to relax yet remain guarded. The lighting and quietness of the restaurant symbolize a safe space for connection, while the mention of the phone box at Parnell Avenue hints at Eilis’s challenges in maintaining personal relationships amid familial obligations. These settings mirror her internal oscillation between vulnerability, hope, and restraint.
Quotes
1. “‘That’s not what I said,’ Larry interrupted. ‘I said that you guys used to eat each other.’”
This quote introduces a provocative and somewhat humorous misunderstanding about the historical hardship of the Great Hunger, highlighting how narratives and perceptions of history can differ and be sensationalized. It sets a tone of candid family dialogue and cultural clash early in the chapter.
2. “‘There’s something I need to say to you both. Your Enniscorthy grandmother knows nothing about what is going on at home. Nothing! She’s old and it would upset her too much. So, not a word! Not a single word! And her house has not been decorated for years. I’m not sure what rooms we will all be sleeping in. But no complaining. Your grandmother is very proud and very sensitive.’”
This passage reveals the delicate family dynamics and the importance of protecting elders from painful realities, underscoring themes of pride, secrecy, and the quiet endurance within family relationships. It also hints at the humble living conditions contrasting with emotional complexity.
3. “‘I think I became one when I got to vote against Nixon. I felt like an American then.’”
Eilis’s reflection captures a key moment of identity and belonging, marking the political act of voting as a defining experience of becoming American. This quote encapsulates the themes of cultural integration and personal transformation central to the chapter’s exploration of identity.
4. “‘I don’t understand how little I see and hear just now about Derry and Belfast,’ Eilis said. ‘I thought there would be flags and marches down here too. In America, it’s what everyone wants to talk to you about if you are Irish.’”
This quote highlights the contrast between the political awareness and activism experienced abroad versus the quieter, more subdued reality at home. It reveals the complexities of national identity and the differing perspectives on conflict within the Irish diaspora.
5. “‘At the beginning,’ Jim said, ‘the subject of the North was very heated. There was a shouting match one night in the pub with fellows demanding we should invade the North. And then later people who were burned out of their houses in Belfast, Catholic people, came to the town. Everyone bought drinks for them and they had terrible stories. But not long after, they were huddled in a group together with no one paying any attention to them. And then we never saw them again. They must have gone back to the North.’”
This passage poignantly illustrates the initial solidarity and subsequent fading attention towards those affected by conflict, reflecting on human empathy, social dynamics, and the transient nature of public concern. It serves as a subtle commentary on political and social disengagement.
Quotes
1. “‘That’s not what I said,’ Larry interrupted. ‘I said that you guys used to eat each other.’”
This quote introduces a provocative and somewhat humorous misunderstanding about the historical hardship of the Great Hunger, highlighting how narratives and perceptions of history can differ and be sensationalized. It sets a tone of candid family dialogue and cultural clash early in the chapter.
2. “‘There’s something I need to say to you both. Your Enniscorthy grandmother knows nothing about what is going on at home. Nothing! She’s old and it would upset her too much. So, not a word! Not a single word! And her house has not been decorated for years. I’m not sure what rooms we will all be sleeping in. But no complaining. Your grandmother is very proud and very sensitive.’”
This passage reveals the delicate family dynamics and the importance of protecting elders from painful realities, underscoring themes of pride, secrecy, and the quiet endurance within family relationships. It also hints at the humble living conditions contrasting with emotional complexity.
3. “‘I think I became one when I got to vote against Nixon. I felt like an American then.’”
Eilis’s reflection captures a key moment of identity and belonging, marking the political act of voting as a defining experience of becoming American. This quote encapsulates the themes of cultural integration and personal transformation central to the chapter’s exploration of identity.
4. “‘I don’t understand how little I see and hear just now about Derry and Belfast,’ Eilis said. ‘I thought there would be flags and marches down here too. In America, it’s what everyone wants to talk to you about if you are Irish.’”
This quote highlights the contrast between the political awareness and activism experienced abroad versus the quieter, more subdued reality at home. It reveals the complexities of national identity and the differing perspectives on conflict within the Irish diaspora.
5. “‘At the beginning,’ Jim said, ‘the subject of the North was very heated. There was a shouting match one night in the pub with fellows demanding we should invade the North. And then later people who were burned out of their houses in Belfast, Catholic people, came to the town. Everyone bought drinks for them and they had terrible stories. But not long after, they were huddled in a group together with no one paying any attention to them. And then we never saw them again. They must have gone back to the North.’”
This passage poignantly illustrates the initial solidarity and subsequent fading attention towards those affected by conflict, reflecting on human empathy, social dynamics, and the transient nature of public concern. It serves as a subtle commentary on political and social disengagement.
— Unknown
FAQs
1. How does the chapter depict the historical context of the Great Hunger, and what impact does this have on the characters’ understanding of their heritage?
Answer:
The chapter references the Great Hunger (the Irish Famine) through the conversation between Larry and Eilis, where Larry reads from a book stating that during that time, people were so desperate they resorted to eating anything they could find, including each other. This historical context introduces a grim reality of their ancestors’ suffering, highlighting the severity of the famine. The characters’ discussion reveals differing perspectives: Larry’s book is factual and harsh, while Rosella’s book by Bernadette Devlin inspires admiration and hope. This contrast deepens their understanding of their heritage, mixing painful history with pride and resilience, shaping their identity as Irish descendants.
2. What role does secrecy and protection of family dignity play in the chapter, particularly regarding the grandmother and her home?
Answer:
Secrecy and protection of family dignity are central themes in the chapter. Eilis explicitly instructs Rosella and Larry not to mention any troubling news to their grandmother, emphasizing that she is old, proud, and sensitive, and that it would upset her. Furthermore, Eilis notes the grandmother’s house has not been redecorated for years, suggesting a humble, possibly strained household. This protective silence reflects a cultural respect for elders and a desire to preserve family honor despite difficulties, indicating that emotional safeguarding is as important as physical care within the family dynamic.
3. Analyze the significance of Eilis’s interactions with Jim Farrell and how they reflect her internal conflict about belonging and identity.
Answer:
Eilis’s interactions with Jim Farrell reveal her complex feelings about belonging and identity. Their intimate moments in the hotel room and later at the Italian restaurant show a tentative connection and comfort, yet Eilis remains cautious, mindful of her mother’s home and the social expectations she faces. Her comment about becoming American “when I got to vote against Nixon” suggests a shifting self-identity influenced by political and cultural experiences abroad. Meanwhile, her surprise at the lack of visible political unrest in Ireland contrasts with her awareness of the conflict in America. These interactions underscore her dual existence between two worlds, highlighting her internal struggle to reconcile her Irish roots with her new life.
4. In what ways does the chapter illustrate the differing perspectives on Irish political and social issues between characters and locations?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts perspectives on Irish political and social issues through dialogue and setting. Larry and Rosella discuss historical discrimination and housing issues, with Rosella citing Bernadette Devlin’s claim that Catholics in Northern Ireland faced barriers in housing, which Eilis clarifies is not the case in the South. Jim Farrell’s recounting of the political atmosphere in his pub, including the initial heated debates about the North and the temporary support for displaced Catholics, shows a community’s fluctuating engagement with the Troubles. Eilis’s observation that political strife seems less visible in her hometown than in America reflects a geographic and experiential divide, illustrating how political awareness and attitudes vary depending on location and personal context.
5. How does the chapter use setting and atmosphere to enhance the emotional tone of Eilis’s experiences?
Answer:
The chapter effectively uses setting and atmosphere to deepen the emotional tone of Eilis’s experiences. The journey from the airport through Ashford and Arklow, where Rosella and Larry fall asleep, creates a quiet, reflective mood, emphasizing the weight of their unspoken family tensions. The hotel room scene, with its small size and intimacy, contrasts with the anonymity of the city and the dimly lit Italian restaurant, where privacy allows Eilis to relax yet remain guarded. The lighting and quietness of the restaurant symbolize a safe space for connection, while the mention of the phone box at Parnell Avenue hints at Eilis’s challenges in maintaining personal relationships amid familial obligations. These settings mirror her internal oscillation between vulnerability, hope, and restraint.
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