The story begins in October just as the clocks have gone back and there is a sense of darkness and despair in the opening chapter as the people of New Ross brace themselves against the harshness of winter.
There is a clear use of pathetic fallacy in the opening chapter as the weather reflects the mood of the people in the town. We see children pulling their hoods up to protect themselves against the cold and how, ‘blades of cold slid under doors and cut the knees of those who still knelt to say the rosary. This highlights the power of religion in the town but also how that power is beginning to wane.
We are introduced to our main character, Bill Furlong, who operates a coal yard and it is clear that his business is thriving in the harsh Irish winter. The tyres on his van are worn down and we hear how people want their deliveries as soon as possible. This shows how busy he is.
We are given a description of the business from what they sell to how they take in and sort the coal. There is a reference to the Polish and Russian men who come on the boats, ‘with hardly a word of English.’ These men were a novelty and highlights the lack of diversity in Ireland at this time. We get a sense of the pervasive nature of religion in this society when the Angelus is mentioned. However, the men do not stop to pray, but go to get their food. This again highlights the changing nature of attitudes towards religion in the opening chapter.
Mrs Kehoe’s new buffet counter represents the change in the country’s fortunes as Ireland enters a new era.
Questions:
- How does the weather reflect the mood of the town in the opening chapter?
- How do we know that Bill Furlong is doing well in business?