Growing up in Derry: analyse af Peggy Deerys novelle

The short story Growing up in Derry written by Peggy Deery in 1989 is about a boy called Johnny who grew up in Derry while they were at war. Johnny’s mother was shot when he was only twelve years old, he stopped going to school, and visited her at the hospital every day and washed her clothes for her. He used to run messages and run errands for the British army every day, they rewarded him with clothes, money and food. They started coming to his house with gifts of corned beef and canned fruits. He was happy with running errands for the British army for a long time. One day he decided not to come back to the camp anymore but take part in the riots and throwing stones at the soldiers. The soldiers still came to his house, but not with gifts anymore, but search warrants and arrest warrants. He started to tear up pavements and looting buildings to barricade the road, children started to throw back the tear gas and the rubber billets the army chucked at them. Johnny learned to drive a car as many kids did for emergency runs around Free Derry. Johnny’s mother and father were shot, and Paddy was blinded. The adventures came to an end. He started robbing things and shops, but never house because he felt compassionate with the people. He served jailtime for political acts and was adjudged by the community. Johnny’s head was shaven to mark him as an outsider of the community. Peggy wanted something done about Johnny because she knew he was out of control and would go to jail for a crime. The worst thing would be to go to jail for a crime. It would be shameful.