Brooklyn Colm Toibin Character Analysis

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Brooklyn by Colm Toibin is a novel that explores many different contexts one of which entails the evident desire to please that is apparent in the personality of the main character Eilis Lacey. Set in the 1950s social expectations play a major role in an individual’s submissive behavior. Within Eilis’ submissive behaviour she is thrown into situations where homesickness and the loss of close Family relationships is prominent. In the desire to please being a major flaw in Eilis’ character it leaves her with little life experience resulting in compromising romantic relationships and defying social expectations. Throughout Brooklyn a prominent factor that contributes to Eilis’ compliance involves her nature, social expectations and the conditioning…show more content…
While Brooklyn is a vastly larger population to that of Eilis’ hometown of Enniscorthy Eilis is now somewhat anonymous free to dive into any opportunity that arises without the constant restrain that comes with being known and constantly observed in a small town. Eilis’ new life experiences involve those of romantic relations although it may have been clear that maybe she wasn’t ready just yet. “Hi saying that he loved her… made her feel that she would have to accept that this was the life she was going to have… “ Within Eilis’ inexperience it is apparent that she doesn’t yet understand love or the meaning behind it. As Tony expresses his feelings for Eilis it can be seen that she is in a state of confusion as his love is imposed on her, although Eilis doesn’t reciprocate that feeling or appreciate Tony’s feelings for her at the given time she in a way conforms within the encouragement of her moral upbringing. It is clear that although Eilis does conform and stay with tony she is still inexperienced and confused as she falls back into her desire to please people. On her return to Enniscorthy she does not make her mother aware of her current marital status or even mention Tony. Eilis then compromises herself as she betrays Tony in being unfaithful leading on another man, Jim Farrell, ignoring the existence of her Husband Tony altogether. Colm Toibin’s Brooklyn is a Novel that follows the coming of age journey of main character Eilis Lacey and explores identity throughout the text. It was evident that social expectations can contribute to the encouragement of passive behaviour.Due to Eilis’ Compliant nature her desires are often suppressed leading her astray and compromising her moral integrity due to inexperience and the desire to please

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