Chapter two introduces us to the life of the main character, Bill Furlong. We learn that Furlong was an illegitimate child and that he had, ‘come from nothing.’ The power of the Catholic Church becomes apparent in this chapter as we see the treatment of Furlong because his mother was not married.
The writer creates a clear contrast between the Catholic Church and Mrs Wilson, who was a Protestant woman who Furlong’s mother worked for. Mrs Wilson shows compassion and empathy to the sixteen year old girl after her own family disowned her. We see how Furlong was ‘jeered and called some ugly names,’ as a schoolboy but that living in the ‘Big House,’ afforded him some protection. However, there were instances where he was spat upon, showing the lack of respect people had for him because of his illegitimate status. We see the cruel interaction between Furlong and the man in the registry office when he smiles at the fact that ‘Unknown,’ is written where his father’s name should have been.
Bill is now married to Eileen and they have five daughters. Bill’s rise in social status was achieved through the help of Mrs Wilson, who treated him as a son, when his own mother died when he was twelve. The money Mrs Wilson gave him allowed him to take over the coal business and make a good life for himself. We see how his reputation was enhanced by ‘the Protestant habits’ he picked up from Mrs Wilson.
Despite his relative good fortune, Bill worries a lot and it is clear from this chapter that he is a kind, empathetic person. He is chastised by Eileen for giving the Sinnott boy loose change and we see the empathy he has for the boy’s father who is an alcoholic. Eileen has no sympathy for the family.
We see the bleak atmosphere of 1985 Ireland in this chapter as ‘the dole queues were getting longer,’ and a boy was seen, ‘drinking the milk out of the cat’s bowl behind the priest’s house.’ Redundancies are common in the town and businesses are being boarded up. Furlong worries that he could lose everything and he is often awake at night ‘going over small things like these.’
Questions
- How does the author highlight the extent of the poverty in the text?
- Furlong’s status as an illegitimate child highlights the power and control of the Catholic Church. Discuss.
- The author presents a bleak outlook on life through this chapter. Do you agree or disagree? Explain with reference to the text.
- What point was the author making when she described the young boy drinking milk out of the cat’s bowl behind the priest’s house?
- What symbols and imagery did the author use to convey the feelings of despair in this chapter? Explain your answer with reference to the text.