Long Island
Part One:i
by Tóibín, ColmThe chapter begins with Francesca informing Eilis that an Irishman has been searching for her, visiting every house but specifically asking for Eilis by name. Despite Francesca’s efforts, the man remains tight-lipped about his intentions. Eilis, somewhat apprehensive about the arrival of another man, reflects on her family routine and her recent promise to quit smoking, highlighting her sense of responsibility amidst the unfolding tension. When the doorbell rings, Eilis is surprised to find the man Francesca mentioned, whose Irish accent and demeanor remind her of home, setting a foreboding tone.
The visitor confronts Eilis with an aggressive and accusatory tone, claiming that her husband, Tony, the plumber, has impregnated his wife. He accuses Tony of deceit and vows to take the unborn child from the woman’s home as soon as the baby is born, threatening violence against Tony if he appears. The man’s directness and veiled threats unsettle Eilis, who tries to gauge his sincerity and intentions. His familiarity with personal details about Eilis and Tony deepens the sense of intrusion and danger, underscoring the complex interpersonal conflicts brewing beneath the surface.
Eilis contemplates the reality of the man’s threats, recognizing a stubbornness and sincerity in him reminiscent of men she knew in Ireland. She understands that in their home country, such actions would be prevented by community oversight, but here, in this quiet neighborhood, the man could act without being noticed. The prospect of a baby being left on her doorstep or a pregnant woman seeking Tony’s support fills her with dread. The chapter poignantly explores Eilis’s internal struggle as she grapples with fear and uncertainty about the consequences of Tony’s affair and its impact on her life.
The chapter closes with Eilis feeling isolated and overwhelmed, longing for guidance from her deceased sister Rose, who had been a source of strength during crises. She finds no comfort in her mother, who is far away in Ireland, or in her sisters-in-law, who come from different cultural backgrounds and may not fully understand her predicament. This sense of solitude emphasizes Eilis’s emotional vulnerability as she faces a troubling and complex situation alone, setting the stage for the challenges to come.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the visitor’s claim regarding the pregnancy and how does it affect Eilis?
Answer:
The visitor claims that Eilis’s husband, Tony, has impregnated another woman, and he explicitly states he is not the father of the child his wife is expecting. This accusation is significant because it introduces a tense conflict and threatens Eilis’s family stability. The visitor’s aggressive tone and threats to leave the baby on Eilis’s doorstep or with another woman escalate the emotional stakes and create a sense of danger and uncertainty. For Eilis, this revelation triggers fear and confusion as she grapples with the possibility of Tony’s infidelity and the consequences it might bring, both socially and personally. The chapter highlights her isolation in dealing with this crisis, underscoring her vulnerability.2. How does the chapter use setting and character interaction to build tension?
Answer:
The setting—a quiet cul-de-sac in a residential area—contrasts sharply with the threatening nature of the visitor’s arrival, amplifying tension. The visitor’s silhouette behind frosted glass and his bold, confrontational dialogue create a sudden intrusion into Eilis’s otherwise normal life. The domestic routine is disrupted by this aggressive encounter, and the quiet neighborhood setting makes the threat feel more personal and immediate. The interaction between Eilis and the visitor is charged with unspoken dangers; his knowledge of her name and her husband’s business, combined with his veiled threats, build suspense. Eilis’s internal reactions—her disbelief, fear, and reflection—further heighten the emotional tension.3. In what ways does Eilis’s cultural background influence her perception of the visitor and the situation?
Answer:
Eilis’s Irish background shapes her understanding of the visitor’s behavior and the potential consequences of the pregnancy. She recognizes qualities in him—stubbornness and a certain sincerity—that remind her of men she knew in Ireland, who would not tolerate infidelity or illegitimate children quietly. This cultural lens makes her believe that the visitor’s threats are serious and likely to be acted upon, especially the idea of removing the baby from the household. She also contrasts how such a situation would be handled in Ireland, where community figures like priests or police would intervene, with her current environment where the visitor could leave a baby on the doorstep unnoticed. Her cultural experience informs her fears and her sense of isolation in this foreign context.4. Analyze the role of Francesca in this chapter. What does her interaction with Eilis reveal?
Answer:
Francesca, Eilis’s mother-in-law, plays a subtle yet important role in this chapter. Her intelligence and sly sense of humor are highlighted during her brief conversation with Eilis, where she hints at the visitor’s repeated attempts to find Eilis and the visitor’s intentions without revealing too much. This interaction shows Francesca as both perceptive and protective, offering Eilis a form of quiet support. It also serves to foreshadow the visitor’s arrival and the ensuing conflict. Francesca’s presence contrasts with Eilis’s growing anxiety, grounding the narrative in familial relationships and hinting at the complexities within the household and community.5. What psychological and emotional challenges does Eilis face after the visitor leaves, and how might these challenges affect her actions moving forward?
Answer:
After the visitor departs, Eilis experiences a complex mix of fear, disbelief, and isolation. She is overwhelmed by the implications of the visitor’s threats and the reality of Tony’s potential infidelity. The chapter depicts her struggle to process the information, illustrated by her attempts to distract herself, her reflections on the unknown pregnant woman, and her imagined scenarios involving the baby. Eilis’s psychological turmoil is compounded by the lack of immediate support, as she cannot confide in her mother or sisters-in-law. This internal conflict may lead her to feel trapped and uncertain about how to respond, potentially influencing her future decisions regarding her marriage, community interactions, and her own emotional well-being.
Quotes
1. “‘That Irishman has been here again,’ Francesca said, sitting down at the kitchen table. ‘He has come to every house, but it’s you he’s looking for. I told him you would be home soon.’”
This opening quote sets the tone of tension and foreboding in the chapter, introducing the mysterious visitor whose presence drives the unfolding conflict. It highlights the targeted nature of the visit and foreshadows the confrontation to come.
2. “‘He even did a bit more than was in the estimate. Indeed, he came back regularly when he knew that the woman of the house would be there and I would not. And his plumbing is so good that she is to have a baby in August.’”
This revealing statement from the visitor exposes the core accusation of infidelity and impending consequences. It captures the emotional and social stakes involved, as well as the visitor’s bitterness and determination.
3. “‘And you can tell your husband from me that if I ever see his face anywhere, I’ll come after him with an iron bar that I keep handy. Now, have I made myself clear?’”
This threatening declaration crystallizes the danger and hostility the visitor brings into the household. It illustrates the intensity of the conflict and the very real threat to the family’s safety and peace.
4. “She recognised something in him, a stubbornness, perhaps even a sort of sincerity. She had known men like this in Ireland. Should one of them discover that their wife had been unfaithful and was pregnant as a result, they would not have the baby in the house.”
This reflection by Eilis offers insight into cultural attitudes toward infidelity and honor, contrasting Irish social norms with her current environment. It deepens the reader’s understanding of her internal conflict and the weight of the visitor’s threat.
5. “Suddenly, the image of this woman alone with a baby coming to look for support from Tony frightened her even more than the image of a baby being left on her doorstep. But then that second image too, when she let herself picture it in cold detail, made her feel sick. What if the baby was crying? Would she pick it up? If she did, what would she do then?”
This poignant moment reveals Eilis’s profound fear and moral dilemma, humanizing her response to the crisis. It encapsulates the emotional complexity of the situation and the painful uncertainty she faces.