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    Long Island

    by Tóibín, Colm
    Long Island by Colm Tóibín is a sequel to his 2009 novel Brooklyn, continuing the story of Eilis Lacey two decades later. Now settled in Long Island with her husband Tony and their children, Eilis faces personal upheaval when she discovers Tony has fathered a child with another woman. She returns to her hometown in Ireland, confronting past relationships and seeking solace. The novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of love and family across two countries.
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    Long Island

    Part One:ii

    by Tóibín, Colm

    The chap­ter opens by describ­ing Tony’s father’s Sat­ur­day rou­tine of inspect­ing his sons’ cars, a rit­u­al that extends to Eilis when she buys a cheap car. Despite ini­tial doubts, Tony’s father comes to appre­ci­ate the val­ue of her pur­chase and reg­u­lar­ly checks the vehi­cles, empha­siz­ing the impor­tance of main­te­nance. He rec­om­mends his trust­ed friend, Mr Dakess­ian, an Armen­ian garage own­er known for his exper­tise, fair prices, and friend­ly ser­vice, con­trast­ing him with less reli­able mechan­ics. Eilis, man­ag­ing the fam­i­ly busi­ness accounts, fre­quent­ly inter­acts with Mr Dakess­ian, find­ing him as depend­able as described.

    Dur­ing one of her vis­its, Mr Dakess­ian gifts Eilis a book on Armen­ian his­to­ry, high­light­ing a shared expe­ri­ence of cul­tur­al dis­place­ment. He recounts his family’s escape from Arme­nia as a child and express­es a deep sad­ness about his her­itage, espe­cial­ly for his son who grows up dis­con­nect­ed from their roots. The con­ver­sa­tion reveals the sig­nif­i­cance of cul­tur­al iden­ti­ty and the desire to pre­serve it, illus­trat­ed by Mr Dakessian’s daughter’s upcom­ing Armen­ian wed­ding. Eilis relates this to Tony’s Ital­ian fam­i­ly, not­ing their sim­i­lar attach­ment to her­itage.

    Mr Dakess­ian lat­er shares a book on Irish his­to­ry, draw­ing par­al­lels between the Armen­ian and Irish expe­ri­ences of suf­fer­ing and resilience. He dis­cuss­es his reluc­tance to hire out­siders to main­tain the fam­i­ly-run nature of his garage and extends an invi­ta­tion to Eilis to join his busi­ness. This oppor­tu­ni­ty aris­es as his daugh­ter pre­pares to leave, and Eilis, frus­trat­ed by resis­tance from Tony’s broth­ers to her account­ing sys­tem, decides to accept the offer. The chap­ter explores themes of cul­tur­al con­ti­nu­ity, fam­i­ly loy­al­ty, and career deci­sions with­in immi­grant com­mu­ni­ties.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Eilis nego­ti­at­ing her work­ing con­di­tions and salary with Mr Dakess­ian, estab­lish­ing a pro­fes­sion­al agree­ment. She plans to tran­si­tion smooth­ly by learn­ing from the cur­rent employ­ee and sets clear expec­ta­tions for work hours and hol­i­days. Mr Dakessian’s mock sur­prise at her terms and the dis­cus­sion of salary reflect the prac­ti­cal­i­ties of bal­anc­ing respect for tra­di­tion with mod­ern work­place arrange­ments. The chap­ter cap­tures a moment of per­son­al growth and change for Eilis, high­light­ing the com­plex­i­ties of fam­i­ly dynam­ics and cul­tur­al iden­ti­ty in every­day life.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What role does Tony’s father’s Saturday ritual play in the family dynamics described in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Tony’s father’s Saturday ritual of visiting his sons to check on their cars symbolizes his continued care and involvement in their lives, despite their independence. It reinforces family bonds and shows his practical expertise and concern, as he inspects the cars personally and recommends trusted services like Mr Dakessian’s garage. His interactions also extend to Eilis, reflecting her growing integration into the family. This routine highlights themes of familial support, tradition, and the passing down of knowledge, setting a tone of reliability and connection in the family network.

      2. How does the relationship between Eilis and Mr Dakessian develop, and what does it reveal about cultural identity and heritage?

      Answer:
      Eilis’s relationship with Mr Dakessian evolves from a simple business interaction to a deeper cultural exchange. Initially, she deals with him as part of managing the family business accounts, but through his gift of a book on Armenian history and their conversations, she gains insight into his personal background and the significance of heritage. Mr Dakessian’s reflections on his family’s escape from Armenia and his daughter’s Armenian wedding contrast with Tony’s Italian family’s cultural persistence, illustrating how immigrant communities preserve identity. This relationship enriches Eilis’s understanding of cultural continuity and the emotional weight of heritage.

      3. Analyze the challenges Eilis faces while working with Tony and his brothers on the family business accounts. What does this conflict suggest about gender roles and authority within the family?

      Answer:
      Eilis encounters resistance from Tony and his brothers when she tries to implement a formal invoicing and accounting system. Enzo’s complaint that she is trying to tell them how to run their business, and the subsequent family gossip, indicate a struggle over authority and respect. Frank’s advice that they want her to be “more humble” and his cynical remark about not working for his brothers reveal underlying gender dynamics and possibly traditional views on women’s roles in family businesses. This conflict highlights the tension between Eilis’s professional competence and the patriarchal or fraternal resistance to her influence, illustrating broader themes of gender and power.

      4. What factors influence Eilis’s decision to accept Mr Dakessian’s job offer, and how might this decision impact her future both professionally and personally?

      Answer:
      Eilis’s decision is influenced by several factors: the difficulties she faces managing the family’s accounting due to resistance from Tony’s brothers, Mr Dakessian’s welcoming offer, and the opportunity to learn and work within a family business environment that values her skills. Professionally, this move offers her autonomy and a chance to develop new expertise in a stable setting. Personally, it may create tension with Tony, as she anticipates his preference for her to continue working for his family. This choice marks a step toward independence and self-assertion, potentially reshaping her identity and relationships.

      5. Considering Mr Dakessian’s comments about his son’s disinterest in the family business and his daughter’s upcoming marriage, what insights does the chapter provide about generational change and cultural continuity in immigrant families?

      Answer:
      The chapter illustrates the challenges immigrant families face in maintaining cultural traditions across generations. Mr Dakessian’s sadness over his son Erik’s lack of interest in the family business contrasts with his daughter Lusin’s upcoming marriage, which promises a cultural revival through an Armenian-language ceremony. This tension reflects a common pattern where younger generations may drift away from ancestral customs and occupations, while others actively preserve them. The chapter suggests that cultural continuity requires intentional efforts and that immigrant identity is negotiated differently by each generation, balancing assimilation and heritage preservation.

    Quotes

    • 1. “‘The best cars ever made stop dead in the street because their owners didn’t check the oil and the water.’”

      This quote highlights the importance of diligence and care in maintaining valuable things, symbolized by the metaphor of car maintenance. It reflects the chapter’s recurring theme of responsibility and attention to detail, especially in familial and business relationships.

      2. “‘Any problem with your car, you go to Dakessian.’”

      This simple yet firm recommendation encapsulates trust and loyalty within community networks. It introduces Mr Dakessian as a key figure representing dependability and cultural heritage, setting the stage for Eilis’s deeper involvement with his family and business.

      3. “‘I feel sad about it all, more than sad sometimes, especially watching my son Erik growing up here and knowing nothing about where he came from.’”

      Here, Mr Dakessian expresses the poignant theme of displacement and cultural loss, emphasizing the emotional weight of heritage and identity in immigrant narratives. This insight adds depth to the chapter’s exploration of family history and the immigrant experience.

      4. “‘I don’t want to advertise the job and have a stranger coming in. This is a family business and customers have been here for years. If you ever thought you’d like to move and work with the smell of exhaust fumes and the sound of cars revving then you would be welcome here.’”

      This invitation marks a turning point for Eilis, symbolizing opportunity and trust within the community. It also reflects the chapter’s focus on tradition, continuity, and the challenges of integrating new members into established family enterprises.

      5. “‘They are my brothers. I love them. But I would not be caught dead working for them.’”

      Frank’s candid remark captures internal family dynamics and tensions regarding work and authority. It underscores the complexities Eilis faces in balancing familial loyalty and professional autonomy, a key conflict driving the chapter’s narrative.

    Quotes

    1. “‘The best cars ever made stop dead in the street because their owners didn’t check the oil and the water.’”

    This quote highlights the importance of diligence and care in maintaining valuable things, symbolized by the metaphor of car maintenance. It reflects the chapter’s recurring theme of responsibility and attention to detail, especially in familial and business relationships.

    2. “‘Any problem with your car, you go to Dakessian.’”

    This simple yet firm recommendation encapsulates trust and loyalty within community networks. It introduces Mr Dakessian as a key figure representing dependability and cultural heritage, setting the stage for Eilis’s deeper involvement with his family and business.

    3. “‘I feel sad about it all, more than sad sometimes, especially watching my son Erik growing up here and knowing nothing about where he came from.’”

    Here, Mr Dakessian expresses the poignant theme of displacement and cultural loss, emphasizing the emotional weight of heritage and identity in immigrant narratives. This insight adds depth to the chapter’s exploration of family history and the immigrant experience.

    4. “‘I don’t want to advertise the job and have a stranger coming in. This is a family business and customers have been here for years. If you ever thought you’d like to move and work with the smell of exhaust fumes and the sound of cars revving then you would be welcome here.’”

    This invitation marks a turning point for Eilis, symbolizing opportunity and trust within the community. It also reflects the chapter’s focus on tradition, continuity, and the challenges of integrating new members into established family enterprises.

    5. “‘They are my brothers. I love them. But I would not be caught dead working for them.’”

    Frank’s candid remark captures internal family dynamics and tensions regarding work and authority. It underscores the complexities Eilis faces in balancing familial loyalty and professional autonomy, a key conflict driving the chapter’s narrative.

    FAQs

    1. What role does Tony’s father’s Saturday ritual play in the family dynamics described in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Tony’s father’s Saturday ritual of visiting his sons to check on their cars symbolizes his continued care and involvement in their lives, despite their independence. It reinforces family bonds and shows his practical expertise and concern, as he inspects the cars personally and recommends trusted services like Mr Dakessian’s garage. His interactions also extend to Eilis, reflecting her growing integration into the family. This routine highlights themes of familial support, tradition, and the passing down of knowledge, setting a tone of reliability and connection in the family network.

    2. How does the relationship between Eilis and Mr Dakessian develop, and what does it reveal about cultural identity and heritage?

    Answer:
    Eilis’s relationship with Mr Dakessian evolves from a simple business interaction to a deeper cultural exchange. Initially, she deals with him as part of managing the family business accounts, but through his gift of a book on Armenian history and their conversations, she gains insight into his personal background and the significance of heritage. Mr Dakessian’s reflections on his family’s escape from Armenia and his daughter’s Armenian wedding contrast with Tony’s Italian family’s cultural persistence, illustrating how immigrant communities preserve identity. This relationship enriches Eilis’s understanding of cultural continuity and the emotional weight of heritage.

    3. Analyze the challenges Eilis faces while working with Tony and his brothers on the family business accounts. What does this conflict suggest about gender roles and authority within the family?

    Answer:
    Eilis encounters resistance from Tony and his brothers when she tries to implement a formal invoicing and accounting system. Enzo’s complaint that she is trying to tell them how to run their business, and the subsequent family gossip, indicate a struggle over authority and respect. Frank’s advice that they want her to be “more humble” and his cynical remark about not working for his brothers reveal underlying gender dynamics and possibly traditional views on women’s roles in family businesses. This conflict highlights the tension between Eilis’s professional competence and the patriarchal or fraternal resistance to her influence, illustrating broader themes of gender and power.

    4. What factors influence Eilis’s decision to accept Mr Dakessian’s job offer, and how might this decision impact her future both professionally and personally?

    Answer:
    Eilis’s decision is influenced by several factors: the difficulties she faces managing the family’s accounting due to resistance from Tony’s brothers, Mr Dakessian’s welcoming offer, and the opportunity to learn and work within a family business environment that values her skills. Professionally, this move offers her autonomy and a chance to develop new expertise in a stable setting. Personally, it may create tension with Tony, as she anticipates his preference for her to continue working for his family. This choice marks a step toward independence and self-assertion, potentially reshaping her identity and relationships.

    5. Considering Mr Dakessian’s comments about his son’s disinterest in the family business and his daughter’s upcoming marriage, what insights does the chapter provide about generational change and cultural continuity in immigrant families?

    Answer:
    The chapter illustrates the challenges immigrant families face in maintaining cultural traditions across generations. Mr Dakessian’s sadness over his son Erik’s lack of interest in the family business contrasts with his daughter Lusin’s upcoming marriage, which promises a cultural revival through an Armenian-language ceremony. This tension reflects a common pattern where younger generations may drift away from ancestral customs and occupations, while others actively preserve them. The chapter suggests that cultural continuity requires intentional efforts and that immigrant identity is negotiated differently by each generation, balancing assimilation and heritage preservation.

    Note