Analyse af novellen 'Tom Corridan'

“Maybe I can get a better job. Maybe I don’t have to have muck under my fingernails and a filthy stained collar. Any savage can fix a toilet, drink himself stupid, then come home and shout at his wife and children to make himself feel important!” (p. 2 ll. 71-72). We are determined, we are motivated and sometimes, we’re desperate. Being from a lower class can cause many disadvantages, domestic violence for instance. Domestic violence is not only physical violence alone, it is additionally the power of taking control and abuse. Being controlled and abused is no easy task, but what if you get to have the power? In the short story “Tom Corridan” by Arhondia 2018, we are getting introduced to Tom Corridan.

The main character of the short story is Tom Corridan and his father, Frank. Tom Corridan’s mother and brother also appear in the text. Tom Corridan is a young male who lives in Cherryfield Road in Dublin and has the determination to not end up, in the same situation as his father. Tom Corridan wants to go to college and be successful unlike his father. Tom Corridan’s teacher, Father Flanagan is supporting and advising Tom Corridan to make the right decisions about his future and issues at home. Unlike Father Flanagan, Frank does not support Toms decision to go to university or educate himself in general “Silly boy, I don’t have lunch at Bewley’s every day. Do you know your brother is learning Ancient Greek? Do you know what job that’s good for?” says Da. “What job?” says Joe, wide-eyed. “None,” (p. 2 ll. 50-53). Tom wants to attend university and study ancient Greek, which also indicates that he is smart. Frank is a plumper and very controlling in the family. He wants Tom to work to earn more money, hence they are from a lower-class. Tom Corridan describes Frank’s “dirty shirts and dirty necks and filthy nails.” (p. 1 l. 29) and in general talks about him negatively. Tom Corridan does not like his father, moreover, does not want to follow in his footsteps - Frank Corridan is a very abusive man, especially towards Tom Corridan and on some occasions towards his mother. (p. 2 l. 56). The relationship between Tom Corridan and his father is not good, mainly due to his father is an alcoholic which changes the interactions with each other. This can be seen when Tom Corridan’s mother is making food and his father’s anger strikes up, when the food isn’t ready “Not ready yet, then? Don’t mind me. I’ve just been working all day and have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow,” (p. 2 ll. 42-43). Furthermore, Tom Corridan has a lack of support and often times gets mocked by his father, which causes hatred between their relationship. Tom Corridan expresses it - ” I just want to go upstairs and sleep. I want to be on my own and pretend I’m not here. I want to dream myself away into another dimension, pretend I’m on a ship traveling the Aegean.” (p. 3 ll. 116-119) - In this quotation, Tom Corridan mentions that he wants to escape his father and pretend, that he is on a ship traveling the Aegean. The Aegean is the sea between Turkey and Greece; therefore, the Aegean symbolizes peace. Turkey and Greece symbolize Tom Corridan and his father; hence their relationship is very chaotic. Tom Corridan also expresses his hatred for his father when he decided to light two cigarettes, instead of saving his father’s life (p. 4 l. 153). The characters are also influenced by the social setting.