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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 Three:ii

    by Tóibín, Colm

    In this chap­ter, Eilis pre­pares to leave her mother’s house, nav­i­gat­ing the ten­sion that aris­es from her mother’s dis­com­fort with Eilis’s dreams of Amer­i­ca. Their con­ver­sa­tion reveals the mother’s pre­oc­cu­pa­tion with social per­cep­tions and her dis­dain for Amer­i­can cul­ture, which con­trasts with Eilis’s qui­et deter­mi­na­tion to dis­tance her­self. Eilis’s deci­sion to escape this envi­ron­ment is solid­i­fied by her mother’s insis­tence on shut­ting down any dis­cus­sion about Amer­i­ca, prompt­ing Eilis to plan a brief stay at Martin’s house by the sea, offer­ing a plau­si­ble excuse to oth­ers about her absence.

    Upon arriv­ing at Martin’s house in Cush, Eilis dis­cov­ers the prop­er­ty is neglect­ed and unsuit­able for a com­fort­able stay. Real­iz­ing that nei­ther her moth­er nor Mar­tin would know if she chose not to stay there, she decides instead to book a hotel in near­by Wex­ford. In the town, she shops for essen­tial fur­nish­ings and house­hold items, nego­ti­at­ing with a local fur­ni­ture shop own­er who rec­og­nizes her from Ennis­cor­thy. Eilis’s urgency and insis­tence on imme­di­ate deliv­ery under­score her desire for inde­pen­dence and con­trol over her sit­u­a­tion.

    Once the new bed is set up and the old fur­ni­ture removed, Eilis begins to set­tle into the house, appre­ci­at­ing the peace­ful coastal sur­round­ings. The qui­et and nat­ur­al beau­ty con­trast with her pre­vi­ous life, and she reflects on the nov­el­ty of sleep­ing alone for the first time since her mar­riage to Tony. This soli­tude offers her a moment of per­son­al free­dom and a chance to con­tem­plate her rela­tion­ships, par­tic­u­lar­ly the dis­tant mem­o­ries of Tony’s fam­i­ly and her hopes for her own family’s upcom­ing vis­it.

    Eilis’s reflec­tions deep­en as she con­sid­ers the dynam­ics with­in Tony’s fam­i­ly, espe­cial­ly the play­ful teas­ing involv­ing her name by Tony’s son Lar­ry. These mem­o­ries high­light the com­plex inter­sec­tions of fam­i­ly, iden­ti­ty, and belong­ing that per­me­ate her life. The chap­ter clos­es with a brief men­tion of Tony’s father’s vis­it to the garage, hint­ing at unre­solved ten­sions and con­nec­tions that con­tin­ue to influ­ence Eilis even as she seeks a new path.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Eilis’s relationship with her mother and Martin influence her decision to leave and stay alone in the house in Cush?

      Answer:
      Eilis’s relationship with her mother and Martin is strained and marked by tension, which strongly influences her decision to leave. Her mother expresses concern about social perceptions and disapproval of Eilis’s interest in America, dismissing it and showing irritation. Martin’s presence adds to Eilis’s feeling of confinement. Eilis senses that her mother prioritizes appearances and worries about gossip, which conflicts with Eilis’s desire for independence. This culminates in Eilis deciding to escape their scrutiny by staying alone in the house in Cush, where she can have privacy and space to think. The chapter shows that Eilis values autonomy and is willing to assert it even if it means deceiving her mother and Martin.

      2. What does the description of the house in Cush reveal about Eilis’s expectations versus reality, and how does this affect her plans?

      Answer:
      The house in Cush is described as neglected and uncomfortable: it has a stained mattress, old bedclothes, and is exposed to harsh sea winds due to its proximity to the cliff. This contrasts with Eilis’s initial hope that it would be a suitable retreat. The reality prompts her to consider alternative arrangements, such as staying in a hotel in Wexford, reflecting her practical and adaptable nature. Despite the house’s shortcomings, she proceeds with furnishing it quickly, showing determination to create a comfortable space. The contrast between expectation and reality highlights Eilis’s resilience and her desire for a private refuge, even if imperfect.

      3. How does the interaction between Eilis and the furniture shop owner contribute to the theme of community and belonging in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Eilis’s conversation with the furniture shop owner reveals a subtle but meaningful connection based on shared locality—Enniscorthy. The owner’s familiarity with her sister and the lighthearted comment about the people from Enniscorthy wanting things “today” create a brief sense of community and recognition. This interaction contrasts with Eilis’s feelings of isolation and her attempt to avoid an American accent, indicating her struggle between two worlds. The scene underscores the importance of local ties and the comfort they can offer, even as Eilis navigates her complex identity between Ireland and America. It also reflects how small social networks and shared backgrounds can foster a sense of belonging.

      4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of independence through Eilis’s actions and reflections?

      Answer:
      The chapter explores independence primarily through Eilis’s decision to spend time alone in the house, away from her mother and Martin. This is her first experience of sleeping alone, a long-held desire that symbolizes personal freedom and self-reliance. Her careful planning—buying furniture, bedding, and provisions—demonstrates her taking control of her circumstances. Eilis’s reflections on her past life, including her marriage to Tony and the closeness of his family, highlight how she has been socially and emotionally tethered to others. The act of creating a solitary space represents a crucial step in her growth and assertion of independence, both physically and psychologically.

      5. How does the chapter use setting and sensory details to enhance the mood and themes of solitude and transition?

      Answer:
      The setting of Cush, with its windswept cliffside house and the sounds of waves and birdsong, creates a vivid backdrop that emphasizes solitude and introspection. The “creamy light of the afternoon” and the peaceful silence punctuated only by natural sounds evoke tranquility but also a sense of isolation. These sensory details mirror Eilis’s internal state—her calm yet tentative embrace of being alone. The precariousness of the house’s location near the cliff symbolizes the transitional phase in her life, balancing between old ties and new independence. This atmospheric description enriches the mood, making her solitude feel both refreshing and fragile, reinforcing the chapter’s exploration of change and self-discovery.

    Quotes

    • 1. “‘I care what people think about me.’”

      This quote captures the underlying social anxiety and concern with reputation that motivates the mother’s questions and judgments. It sets the tone for the familial tensions and Eilis’s desire to escape these expectations, which is a key driver of the chapter’s narrative.

      2. “‘It’s day and night. Every time I turn on the television, I hear Americans laughing at something that’s not even funny. And there was all that Nixon stuff I hated. And now I have you telling me how great America is and how big everything is there –’”

      This passage reveals the mother’s conflicted feelings about America, mixing cultural irritation with political disdain, highlighting the emotional and ideological distance between Eilis and her family. It underscores the cultural tensions that frame Eilis’s internal conflict about her identity and future.

      3. “It struck her that Martin and her mother would never know if she did not, in fact, stay here. She would, she decided, drive to Wexford and book into one of the hotels and return to her mother’s house in a day or two.”

      This moment marks a turning point where Eilis asserts her independence and plans a quiet escape, symbolizing her desire for autonomy and control over her own life. It is a pivotal decision that reflects her inner conflict and need for personal space.

      4. “‘Every single person from Enniscorthy wants everything today. It must be something in the water up there.’”

      This lighter, humorous quote illustrates local character and the immediacy with which Eilis wants to arrange her new living situation. It also reflects the practical steps she takes toward establishing a life separate from her family’s scrutiny.

      5. “Tonight would be the first time she would ever sleep in a house alone, when there would be no one in the bed with her or in the next room. In all her years with Tony, it was something she had often dreamed about… slipping away, getting a train or even driving to some town and finding an anonymous hotel to spend two nights away from everyone.”

      This reflective passage eloquently conveys Eilis’s longing for solitude and anonymity, highlighting the emotional weight of her personal journey. It encapsulates her desire for freedom and the quiet strength behind her actions in the chapter.

    Quotes

    1. “‘I care what people think about me.’”

    This quote captures the underlying social anxiety and concern with reputation that motivates the mother’s questions and judgments. It sets the tone for the familial tensions and Eilis’s desire to escape these expectations, which is a key driver of the chapter’s narrative.

    2. “‘It’s day and night. Every time I turn on the television, I hear Americans laughing at something that’s not even funny. And there was all that Nixon stuff I hated. And now I have you telling me how great America is and how big everything is there –’”

    This passage reveals the mother’s conflicted feelings about America, mixing cultural irritation with political disdain, highlighting the emotional and ideological distance between Eilis and her family. It underscores the cultural tensions that frame Eilis’s internal conflict about her identity and future.

    3. “It struck her that Martin and her mother would never know if she did not, in fact, stay here. She would, she decided, drive to Wexford and book into one of the hotels and return to her mother’s house in a day or two.”

    This moment marks a turning point where Eilis asserts her independence and plans a quiet escape, symbolizing her desire for autonomy and control over her own life. It is a pivotal decision that reflects her inner conflict and need for personal space.

    4. “‘Every single person from Enniscorthy wants everything today. It must be something in the water up there.’”

    This lighter, humorous quote illustrates local character and the immediacy with which Eilis wants to arrange her new living situation. It also reflects the practical steps she takes toward establishing a life separate from her family’s scrutiny.

    5. “Tonight would be the first time she would ever sleep in a house alone, when there would be no one in the bed with her or in the next room. In all her years with Tony, it was something she had often dreamed about… slipping away, getting a train or even driving to some town and finding an anonymous hotel to spend two nights away from everyone.”

    This reflective passage eloquently conveys Eilis’s longing for solitude and anonymity, highlighting the emotional weight of her personal journey. It encapsulates her desire for freedom and the quiet strength behind her actions in the chapter.

    FAQs

    1. How does Eilis’s relationship with her mother and Martin influence her decision to leave and stay alone in the house in Cush?

    Answer:
    Eilis’s relationship with her mother and Martin is strained and marked by tension, which strongly influences her decision to leave. Her mother expresses concern about social perceptions and disapproval of Eilis’s interest in America, dismissing it and showing irritation. Martin’s presence adds to Eilis’s feeling of confinement. Eilis senses that her mother prioritizes appearances and worries about gossip, which conflicts with Eilis’s desire for independence. This culminates in Eilis deciding to escape their scrutiny by staying alone in the house in Cush, where she can have privacy and space to think. The chapter shows that Eilis values autonomy and is willing to assert it even if it means deceiving her mother and Martin.

    2. What does the description of the house in Cush reveal about Eilis’s expectations versus reality, and how does this affect her plans?

    Answer:
    The house in Cush is described as neglected and uncomfortable: it has a stained mattress, old bedclothes, and is exposed to harsh sea winds due to its proximity to the cliff. This contrasts with Eilis’s initial hope that it would be a suitable retreat. The reality prompts her to consider alternative arrangements, such as staying in a hotel in Wexford, reflecting her practical and adaptable nature. Despite the house’s shortcomings, she proceeds with furnishing it quickly, showing determination to create a comfortable space. The contrast between expectation and reality highlights Eilis’s resilience and her desire for a private refuge, even if imperfect.

    3. How does the interaction between Eilis and the furniture shop owner contribute to the theme of community and belonging in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Eilis’s conversation with the furniture shop owner reveals a subtle but meaningful connection based on shared locality—Enniscorthy. The owner’s familiarity with her sister and the lighthearted comment about the people from Enniscorthy wanting things “today” create a brief sense of community and recognition. This interaction contrasts with Eilis’s feelings of isolation and her attempt to avoid an American accent, indicating her struggle between two worlds. The scene underscores the importance of local ties and the comfort they can offer, even as Eilis navigates her complex identity between Ireland and America. It also reflects how small social networks and shared backgrounds can foster a sense of belonging.

    4. In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of independence through Eilis’s actions and reflections?

    Answer:
    The chapter explores independence primarily through Eilis’s decision to spend time alone in the house, away from her mother and Martin. This is her first experience of sleeping alone, a long-held desire that symbolizes personal freedom and self-reliance. Her careful planning—buying furniture, bedding, and provisions—demonstrates her taking control of her circumstances. Eilis’s reflections on her past life, including her marriage to Tony and the closeness of his family, highlight how she has been socially and emotionally tethered to others. The act of creating a solitary space represents a crucial step in her growth and assertion of independence, both physically and psychologically.

    5. How does the chapter use setting and sensory details to enhance the mood and themes of solitude and transition?

    Answer:
    The setting of Cush, with its windswept cliffside house and the sounds of waves and birdsong, creates a vivid backdrop that emphasizes solitude and introspection. The “creamy light of the afternoon” and the peaceful silence punctuated only by natural sounds evoke tranquility but also a sense of isolation. These sensory details mirror Eilis’s internal state—her calm yet tentative embrace of being alone. The precariousness of the house’s location near the cliff symbolizes the transitional phase in her life, balancing between old ties and new independence. This atmospheric description enriches the mood, making her solitude feel both refreshing and fragile, reinforcing the chapter’s exploration of change and self-discovery.

    Note