Cal Essay Questions

How does the author portray Cal's moral character? Can we sympathize with his actions?

Cal is construed as an isolated, directionless youth with few prospects and intensely disliked by his Protestant neighbors. As a result, he relents when pressured by a former schoolmate to participate in the IRA movement. On one hand, it is clear that Cal has acted immorally, especially in acting as an accomplice to the murder of Robert Morton. However, MacLaverty never paints Cal one-dimensionally; his rendering of Cal as a typical young man with the the same fears and desires as any other teenager serves to humanize him. Furthermore, throughout the story, Cal proves to be his own worst judge and critic, knowing full well the gravity of his error. In this way, we may not sympathize with his actions, but we can at least recognize the complex and tragic situation that has lead him to make such a mistake.

Name one instance where Bernard MacLaverty uses foreshadowing in the story. What is the purpose of it?

The main instance where MacLaverty uses foreshadowing is in the way he slowly reveals the full story of Cal's past throughout the chapters. It is not until the middle of the book that we find out about Cal's role in the murder of Robert Morton. This narrative choice creates suspense, as the reader is left wondering why Marcella is of such strong interest to Cal. Furthermore, by not disclosing this right away, MacLaverty lets the reader get to know Cal and see him as a human being first before learning of his criminality.

What do we learn about the political situation in Northern Ireland through the story? What does the novel show us about the two opposing sides?

First and foremost, we learn that the political situation was tenuous and volatile. We also learn that there was a constant threat from terrorism from both the Republican and the Loyalist factions. Although historically the IRA is considered the main instigator of terrorism during the troubles, MacLaverty shows the aggressions occurring on both sides and how no one could feel safe in such a hostile environment. In addition, the author illustrates the profound physical and psychological toll that the conflict took on the Irish people: families losing their homes, being broken up through murder and becoming emotionally traumatized through the continual possibility of violence.

How do you see the final page of the story? Why does MacLaverty create such an abrupt ending?

The novel ends with Cal's arrest on Christmas Eve, an event which he intuitively felt was coming. Due to Cal's own frequent rumination about being caught, it doesn't come as a shock to the reader. What is more surprising is the way the narrative ends at this moment, without explanation of Cal's life after the fact, or how Marcella and the Mortons react to discovering Cal's role in Robert's murder. Cal's fate is somewhat sealed with his arrest; we know that his life will now change dramatically and permanently, so any further explication of this could be seen as excessive.

On page 48, Cal thinks about how he is more afraid of meeting Our Lady than the devil. Why do you think this is the case?

Throughout the story, Cal constantly thinks about his mistakes and feels a great sense of guilt and self-hatred. He knows what he has done is wrong, and thus the idea of spiritual salvation seems far away and perhaps impossible. The Virgin Mother is a representation of goodness and purity, and thus Cal believes she would be disappointed in him and block him from her grace. The devil is less fearful for him, as Cal feels he has already been tempted and ruined by the evil that the devil represents.