Gar's Generation: The Theme of Failure in 'Philadelphia, Here I Come!' Maria Oprea 11th Grade

Brian Friel’s “Philadelphia, Here I come!” is essentially a social commentary outlining Ireland’s problems during the 1960s. It explores the theme of failure while presenting the monotonous and predictable life of the citizens of Bellybeg, building on the main character’s – Gar’s, who represents the younger generations, reasons to leave.

Most noticeably, life in Bellybeg is displayed as redundant and boring. This is depicted in the repetitions of Private’s remarks such as “Tomorrow morning” followed by Canon saying the same thing, which happens many times throughout their conversations, emphasizing the predictability of their encounters and how their life has turned into a routine where they do and say the same things every time. The idea of their monotonous lives is reinforced by S.B.’s hyperbole in the comment “Living away as usual. Not a thing happening.”, where it is overtly stated that their daily lives are repetitive and nothing new ever happens. The lack of interesting or new occurrences makes Canon obsess over Madge’s statement “’You wait’, she says ‘till the rosary’s over and the kettle’s on’”, repeating it over and over again and laughing. The exaggerated recurrence of it, as he finds something mundane so funny,...