'The Man of the House' (part 2)
Beryl Clarke, Contributor

This week we will examine aspects of The Man of the House, at which we have not previously looked. We have evidence to show that the family in this story is not financially well off. Now why do I say this? The first intimation we have of this is when the mother is described as 'economical' in her use of the sticks to light the fire. There must have been strong reason why, even on this occasion when the fire is necessary and she should have wanted to get it going quickly since she is not well, she still does not use much.

Second, we learn that although she is on the point of collapse, it is her intention to go to work, suggesting her dependence on her wages. Then, she expresses her fear of going to hospital. Now, this could be because she does not want to leave her son alone, but it could also be because of the cost involved. The idea of their limited financial status is made clear when Sullivan's mother does not want to get the whiskey because of the expense, and when the boy has to go to the Poor Law Guardian to get a ticket to show that they cannot pay the doctor.

Last week, although touching on the fact that this is a family of a mother and a son only, we did not consider the implications of such a situation. Both the mother and her son must have felt the lack of an adult male - husband and father - in the home. The responsibility of providing and caring for them would have been his. The 10-year-old boy would not have had to miss school. It is likely that he would not have had to make the tea, go shopping, fetch the doctor or walk the long distance to get the cough medicine.

The temptation, to which he gives in, would not, therefore, have faced him if there had been a man to take charge when his mother became ill.

This incident, therefore, brings out some consequences of the single-parent household. Of great importance is the fear and depression and sense of helplessness that attack this child. He is fearful of going to the pub, something a man would not have been nervous about, fearful of his mother dying and of him becoming a ward of the state or having no one to care for him.

Although Sullivan behaves responsibly, it is obvious that he is not ready for manhood yet! He should have been outside playing but, instead, he restricts himself to remaining within earshot of his mother - so that he could hear her if she called. That he goes into the cathedral to beg the Blessed Virgin for forgiveness and for a miracle reveals both his upbringing in the church and his childlike innocence, especially when he promises to make amends with a candle from the next penny that he gets. His tears, bawling rather, remind us that he is, after all, a child.

Our contemplation of the title shows us that while he is the only male in the house, and while he tries to play the role of the man of the house, it is too much for him. He deserves commendation for trying but it is wrong for society to expect a child or children to take on adult roles.

The story is told from a first-person point of view. That is, Sullivan, who is a character in the story, is also the narrator. It is from his perspective that we get the events and the descriptions. Stop a minute here now, please, and think of how this affects the tale.

Another approach you can take is to ask yourself whether the narrative would have been different if it had been told by a grown-up.

I wonder if an adult would have admitted that he has not paid any attention to her coughing for days. Because he is the one telling us what is happening, we hear about school and schoolchildren and teacher. We get an honest character description of Minnie Ryan - 'very knowledgeable, gossipy and pious'. An adult might have called her a rumour monger or a hypocrite. He focuses on what is important to him and, in a kind way, she knows plenty, loves to chat people's business and acts as if she is a saint. It is because a child is the storyteller that we have humorous episodes such as when he is teased by Johnnie in the pub, or when he is enticed to share the medicine with the little girl and his reaction afterwards.

Until next 'class', keep your head up and your eyes (even if they are burning) on your goal. God bless!

Beryl Clarke is an independent contributor. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com