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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 Two:i

    by Tóibín, Colm

    The chap­ter opens with Nan­cy prepar­ing her chip shop for the day, sur­round­ed by the thick smell of cook­ing oil that per­me­ates the shop and threat­ens to invade the house above. She notes with relief that her daugh­ter Miri­am is out, as Miri­am often com­plains about the lin­ger­ing odour. Nan­cy calls out for her son Ger­ard, hop­ing he is home, but he is absent, spend­ing evenings at local pubs with oth­er busi­ness own­ers. As the fumes grow oppres­sive, she turns on the noisy fan, even­tu­al­ly open­ing the door to air out the shop, con­scious of the com­plaints from neigh­bours about the dis­tur­bance caused by her busi­ness.

    Nan­cy reflects on the recent coun­cil motion that forced her to close the chip shop ear­li­er on cer­tain week­days to reduce noise and dis­rup­tion. Despite this, week­ends remain busy, and the shop con­tin­ues to dis­turb the peace of those liv­ing above the town’s shops. Her work is inter­rupt­ed by the arrival of Rod­er­ick Wal­lace, the local bank man­ag­er, and his wife Dolores, who open­ly crit­i­cize the shop’s clean­li­ness and the odour it pro­duces. Their hos­til­i­ty is per­son­al, recall­ing past griev­ances includ­ing a denied loan and social snubs at a local ten­nis club, inten­si­fy­ing the ten­sion between Nan­cy and the Wal­laces.

    The con­fronta­tion esca­lates as Nan­cy retorts sharply to the Wal­laces, chal­leng­ing their pres­ence in the town and express­ing the community’s desire for their trans­fer. Ger­ard watch­es the exchange from across the square, high­light­ing the famil­ial sup­port behind Nan­cy. Despite the alter­ca­tion, Nan­cy wor­ries that gos­sip will cast her as the trou­ble­mak­er, fur­ther dam­ag­ing her rep­u­ta­tion in the Mar­ket Square. The chap­ter cap­tures the ongo­ing strug­gle between Nancy’s deter­mi­na­tion to main­tain her busi­ness and the social pres­sures she faces from influ­en­tial town fig­ures.

    As the day ends, Nan­cy clos­es the shop ear­ly due to slow busi­ness and the noisy fan. She notices anoth­er cou­ple, known local­ly for their dis­rup­tive behav­iour and fre­quent drunk­en vis­its, attempt­ing to get her atten­tion through the win­dow. Despite their insis­tence and rude demands, Nan­cy refus­es to reopen, sig­nal­ing the end of the day. This final scene under­scores the chal­lenges Nan­cy faces not only from the town’s elite but also from dif­fi­cult cus­tomers, illus­trat­ing the com­plex social envi­ron­ment sur­round­ing her liveli­hood.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the chapter illustrate the social tensions surrounding Nancy’s chip shop in the Market Square?

      Answer:
      The chapter vividly portrays social tensions through Nancy’s interactions and the community’s response to her business. The chip shop’s cooking oil smell causes complaints, notably from the Wallaces, who openly confront Nancy, criticizing the grime and odour and accusing her of breaching planning regulations. The Wallaces represent local authority and social elitism, having previously denied Nancy a loan and shown disdain for her family. Nancy’s sharp retorts and the presence of her son observing the conflict highlight a clash between working-class resilience and middle-class disapproval. Additionally, the disruptive behavior of the couple from the soldiers’ cottages further underscores the complex social dynamics and challenges Nancy faces from different community sectors.

      2. What role does the setting of the Market Square play in the narrative, and how does it affect Nancy’s business and personal life?

      Answer:
      The Market Square serves as a central hub where Nancy’s chip shop operates amidst a community that both supports and resents her presence. It is a physical and symbolic space reflecting economic activity, social interaction, and conflict. The proximity to other businesses, such as the Bank of Ireland and pubs, means Nancy’s shop is subject to scrutiny and rivalry. The Square also embodies the intersection of public and private life; families live above shops, and noise and odours disrupt their peace, leading to council motions affecting Nancy’s operating hours. The setting amplifies Nancy’s challenges in balancing a thriving business with community relations and personal dignity, as the public confrontations and neighborhood attitudes directly impact her daily experience.

      3. Analyze Nancy’s responses to the criticisms and provocations she faces. What do they reveal about her character?

      Answer:
      Nancy’s responses are assertive, unapologetic, and laced with defiance, revealing a resilient and proud character. When confronted by the Wallaces, she does not shrink from conflict but instead confronts them boldly, telling them to leave town and expressing confidence that their transfer will be welcomed. This shows her unwillingness to be intimidated by social superiors who look down on her. Her decision to ignore the disruptive couple at closing time, despite their aggressive demands, demonstrates her firm boundaries and commitment to her rules. Overall, Nancy’s behavior reveals a woman who is determined to maintain control over her life and business, standing strong against social prejudice and disruption.

      4. Considering the chapter’s depiction of community dynamics, how might Nancy’s experience reflect broader themes of class and social division?

      Answer:
      Nancy’s experience exemplifies broader themes of class tension and social division. The chip shop owner represents a working-class entrepreneur striving for economic independence, while figures like Mr. Roderick Wallace symbolize institutional power and middle-class gatekeeping. The Wallaces’ disdain and their daughter’s snide remarks about Nancy’s family illustrate social snobbery and exclusion. Meanwhile, the couple from the soldiers’ cottages reflect another marginalized group struggling with poverty and social stigma. Nancy’s shop becomes a focal point where these various class identities and conflicts intersect, highlighting issues of respectability, economic survival, and the social hierarchies that shape everyday interactions in a small town.

      5. If you were advising Nancy on how to improve community relations without compromising her business, what strategies might you suggest based on the chapter’s context?

      Answer:
      Advising Nancy would require balancing community concerns with business needs. She might consider engaging more proactively with local authorities and neighbors to address complaints, perhaps by investing in better ventilation or odor control to reduce the chip shop’s impact on residents. Hosting community events or offering promotions could build goodwill and soften opposition. Clear communication about her operating hours and efforts to minimize disturbances might also help. Additionally, fostering positive relationships with influential community members, including the Wallaces, could reduce hostility. However, it’s important that Nancy maintains her assertiveness and dignity, ensuring she is not marginalized or pressured unfairly, while seeking practical compromises to sustain her business and community standing.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The smell of cooking oil filled the chip shop. Nancy was wringing out a dishcloth to clean the counter before she opened for business. Trying to think who else was in the house, she realised with relief that her daughter Miriam was out. If Miriam were here, she would come running down from her bedroom to say what she always said: that the smell was eating its way into the upper storeys of the house and getting into her clothes and into the very pores of her skin.”

      This quote sets the sensory and emotional atmosphere of the chapter, introducing Nancy’s daily environment and the tensions between her livelihood and the discomfort it causes her family. It encapsulates the personal cost behind her business and foreshadows community conflict.

      2. “‘The place is as grimy as ever,’ Roderick said in a loud voice… ‘We usually don’t pass this way because of the odour,’ [Dolores] said. ‘And this evening it is noxious.’… ‘You’re in breach of the planning regulations, I’m sure,’ Roderick added.”

      This passage highlights the social and regulatory pressures Nancy faces from local authorities and neighbors, symbolizing the broader conflict between working-class enterprise and middle-class propriety. It marks a key confrontation that illustrates the challenges of her business’s place in the community.

      3. “‘If your husband was alive,’ Roderick went on, ‘I’m sure he would join with the rest of us in deploring this.’”

      This pointed remark reveals the personal and generational tensions underlying the public dispute, indicating how Nancy’s business is not only a commercial matter but also a battleground for family legacy and social standing.

      4. “‘I believe you are to be transferred soon,’ she said. ‘And a lot of people in Enniscorthy will be happy to see the end of you both.’… ‘You can shag off back to Cork,’ she added, ‘or wherever it is you come from, the pair of you!’”

      Nancy’s direct and defiant response to the Wallaces is a pivotal moment of personal empowerment and social resistance. It captures her refusal to be intimidated and underscores the antagonism between local identities and outsiders.

      5. “‘Will you open up, for fuck’s sake,’ the woman shouted. ‘We’re starving.’”

      This raw and desperate plea from the customers late at night underscores the human realities behind the chip shop’s existence. It contrasts the social judgment Nancy faces with the basic needs and struggles of her clientele, highlighting the complex social dynamics at play.

    Quotes

    1. “The smell of cooking oil filled the chip shop. Nancy was wringing out a dishcloth to clean the counter before she opened for business. Trying to think who else was in the house, she realised with relief that her daughter Miriam was out. If Miriam were here, she would come running down from her bedroom to say what she always said: that the smell was eating its way into the upper storeys of the house and getting into her clothes and into the very pores of her skin.”

    This quote sets the sensory and emotional atmosphere of the chapter, introducing Nancy’s daily environment and the tensions between her livelihood and the discomfort it causes her family. It encapsulates the personal cost behind her business and foreshadows community conflict.

    2. “‘The place is as grimy as ever,’ Roderick said in a loud voice… ‘We usually don’t pass this way because of the odour,’ [Dolores] said. ‘And this evening it is noxious.’… ‘You’re in breach of the planning regulations, I’m sure,’ Roderick added.”

    This passage highlights the social and regulatory pressures Nancy faces from local authorities and neighbors, symbolizing the broader conflict between working-class enterprise and middle-class propriety. It marks a key confrontation that illustrates the challenges of her business’s place in the community.

    3. “‘If your husband was alive,’ Roderick went on, ‘I’m sure he would join with the rest of us in deploring this.’”

    This pointed remark reveals the personal and generational tensions underlying the public dispute, indicating how Nancy’s business is not only a commercial matter but also a battleground for family legacy and social standing.

    4. “‘I believe you are to be transferred soon,’ she said. ‘And a lot of people in Enniscorthy will be happy to see the end of you both.’… ‘You can shag off back to Cork,’ she added, ‘or wherever it is you come from, the pair of you!’”

    Nancy’s direct and defiant response to the Wallaces is a pivotal moment of personal empowerment and social resistance. It captures her refusal to be intimidated and underscores the antagonism between local identities and outsiders.

    5. “‘Will you open up, for fuck’s sake,’ the woman shouted. ‘We’re starving.’”

    This raw and desperate plea from the customers late at night underscores the human realities behind the chip shop’s existence. It contrasts the social judgment Nancy faces with the basic needs and struggles of her clientele, highlighting the complex social dynamics at play.

    FAQs

    1. How does the chapter illustrate the social tensions surrounding Nancy’s chip shop in the Market Square?

    Answer:
    The chapter vividly portrays social tensions through Nancy’s interactions and the community’s response to her business. The chip shop’s cooking oil smell causes complaints, notably from the Wallaces, who openly confront Nancy, criticizing the grime and odour and accusing her of breaching planning regulations. The Wallaces represent local authority and social elitism, having previously denied Nancy a loan and shown disdain for her family. Nancy’s sharp retorts and the presence of her son observing the conflict highlight a clash between working-class resilience and middle-class disapproval. Additionally, the disruptive behavior of the couple from the soldiers’ cottages further underscores the complex social dynamics and challenges Nancy faces from different community sectors.

    2. What role does the setting of the Market Square play in the narrative, and how does it affect Nancy’s business and personal life?

    Answer:
    The Market Square serves as a central hub where Nancy’s chip shop operates amidst a community that both supports and resents her presence. It is a physical and symbolic space reflecting economic activity, social interaction, and conflict. The proximity to other businesses, such as the Bank of Ireland and pubs, means Nancy’s shop is subject to scrutiny and rivalry. The Square also embodies the intersection of public and private life; families live above shops, and noise and odours disrupt their peace, leading to council motions affecting Nancy’s operating hours. The setting amplifies Nancy’s challenges in balancing a thriving business with community relations and personal dignity, as the public confrontations and neighborhood attitudes directly impact her daily experience.

    3. Analyze Nancy’s responses to the criticisms and provocations she faces. What do they reveal about her character?

    Answer:
    Nancy’s responses are assertive, unapologetic, and laced with defiance, revealing a resilient and proud character. When confronted by the Wallaces, she does not shrink from conflict but instead confronts them boldly, telling them to leave town and expressing confidence that their transfer will be welcomed. This shows her unwillingness to be intimidated by social superiors who look down on her. Her decision to ignore the disruptive couple at closing time, despite their aggressive demands, demonstrates her firm boundaries and commitment to her rules. Overall, Nancy’s behavior reveals a woman who is determined to maintain control over her life and business, standing strong against social prejudice and disruption.

    4. Considering the chapter’s depiction of community dynamics, how might Nancy’s experience reflect broader themes of class and social division?

    Answer:
    Nancy’s experience exemplifies broader themes of class tension and social division. The chip shop owner represents a working-class entrepreneur striving for economic independence, while figures like Mr. Roderick Wallace symbolize institutional power and middle-class gatekeeping. The Wallaces’ disdain and their daughter’s snide remarks about Nancy’s family illustrate social snobbery and exclusion. Meanwhile, the couple from the soldiers’ cottages reflect another marginalized group struggling with poverty and social stigma. Nancy’s shop becomes a focal point where these various class identities and conflicts intersect, highlighting issues of respectability, economic survival, and the social hierarchies that shape everyday interactions in a small town.

    5. If you were advising Nancy on how to improve community relations without compromising her business, what strategies might you suggest based on the chapter’s context?

    Answer:
    Advising Nancy would require balancing community concerns with business needs. She might consider engaging more proactively with local authorities and neighbors to address complaints, perhaps by investing in better ventilation or odor control to reduce the chip shop’s impact on residents. Hosting community events or offering promotions could build goodwill and soften opposition. Clear communication about her operating hours and efforts to minimize disturbances might also help. Additionally, fostering positive relationships with influential community members, including the Wallaces, could reduce hostility. However, it’s important that Nancy maintains her assertiveness and dignity, ensuring she is not marginalized or pressured unfairly, while seeking practical compromises to sustain her business and community standing.

    Note