- Bridging the generation gap
Ø There is a young boy’s love for his aging
grandfather. The novel explores key issues that young boys of this age may
confront as their characters are shaped by relationships around them. There are
challenges of growing up and learning about responsibility shown in the life of
Rory. Rory is eleven years old and he should be playing football and enjoying
being a boy but he has the big responsibility of keeping Granda safe and away
from Rachnadar. Granda looked after him in those days and now he knows it is his
duty to look after him now. Rory accepts that responsibility with a great
attitude and does not hesitate to do his duty. But from being just a student,
Rory grows up within a short frame of time to make decisions and to act with
great responsibility.
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Family and relationships
Ø There is a journey of love and protection
between a grandfather and his grandson. Love, compression and family
relationships are portrayed through their actions. Granda and Rory love each
other and that guides all their actions. Granda loves his son, Jeff but feels
let down by what happened years ago. He loves Rory’s mother dearly too. Granda
looked after Rory before and now Rory wants to look after his Granda. That is
family love.
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Blood is thicker than water
Ø Family will sick by us through thick and thin
. Rory examplifies that quality throughout the novel. He never once thinks of
abandoning his Granda when the going gets tough . They lose their home because
Granda leaves the chip pan on the stove .
Rory does not blame his granda over the accident . He knows that Granda
is suffering from memory loss . When Rory sees that Granda is dying on the
inside at Rachnadar , he plans the escape . Moreover , he does not want to be
separated from his grandfather . Granda suggests to Rory to run when the police
block the entrance to the caravan park . However , Rory insists on staying by
his granda's side . Rory is the epitome of what the younger generation should
do for the older generation .
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Caring For The Eldery
Ø Rory, a young boy, cares for his aging
Granda. He takes on the responsibility in doing so without any complaints or
qualms. Rory ensures that his Granda has his meals and takes his medication on
time. He is even willing to put aside his own interest like joining the school
football team. Granda is becoming senile and tends to be forgetful. Rory rushes
to the bakery immediately after school. He gets pies from the bakery as lunch
for Granda. Granda has thrown Rory's homework jotter down the rubbish chute but
Rory does not blame Granda or gets angry. As a young boy, Rory exhibits great
understanding and patience in handling his aging grandfather. Taking care of
the eldery is never an easy task. Rory is a courageous boy who not only takes
care his granda, but also emotionally as well as physiological needs.
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Social
Bias
Ø How
society is quick to decide what the aged and ailing as well as the young should
be treated. The social welfare service sees to the very young and the very old.
The decision of the authorities is not always right and should be questioned.
Ruby the traveler complain that social workers check on Tyrone to see if he is
getting his education and is not being abused in any way. The authorities can
be nasty to the gypsies and people on the fringes of society. The police bring
fear and anxiety but they are also seen as being compassionate in their
dealings with Rory. The authorities chase after Rory and Granda but the public
is mainly on their side and people help them all the way. Granda's
admission to the old folks's home in Rachnadar illustrates the society's biased
decision against senior citizens like him. They are neither consulted nor given
the opportunity to decide on such important matters. The authorities were
willing to separate Rory from Granda just because they felt that it was in
their best interest. However, at the end of the novel, the authorities allowed
Rory and Granda to stay together in a flat. providing them with home help and
care workers for support.
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Persevere
Through Life’s Difficulties
Ø Life
has been challenging for Rory. He has to take care of his Granda who is
suffering from memory loss. Rory perseveres through life difficulties. He does
not complain or finds his granda to be a burden. Instead, Rory sees it to be
the natural thing to do. His Granda has taken care of him and now that he is
ill, Rory feels that he should take care of Granda. His granda is all he has
and vice versa. Therefore, they both feel that they should not be separated.
The most difficult time for Rory and Granda is when they have to live apart.
Rory in Castle Street and Granda in Rachnadar. In Castle Street, Rory lives in
fear because of Tess. She has threatened to kill him. Rory keeps this fear away
from his Granda. He does not want Granda to worry. He perseveres through this
difficult time of separation from Granda who is viewed to be unfit to take care
of his grandson. Granda also suffers when he is in Rachnadar. He is treated
like a baby and has lost all his zest for life. Seeing his Granda's condition,
Rory plans the Great Escape.
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