Themes in Small Things Like These – LC Analysis

Understanding the core themes in Small Things Like These is crucial for excelling in your Leaving Certificate English exam. Claire Keegan’s powerful novella explores several profound ideas. We will break down the most important themes, providing analysis for your essays.

Key Themes in Small Things Like These

Keegan masterfully weaves several interconnected themes throughout the narrative. These provide rich ground for literary analysis.

Moral Courage and Complicity

This is arguably the central theme of the novella. Bill Furlong grapples with his conscience when faced with the suffering of the women and girls in the convent. Examiners look for discussion of how individual morality clashes with societal pressure.

• Example: Bill’s decision to bring Sarah home, despite the potential social and economic repercussions, demonstrates his moral courage.
• Quote: “What would such a man do in a similar situation?” This rhetorical question highlights Bill’s internal struggle.
• Essay Tip: Discuss the societal complicity in the Magdalene Laundries and how Bill’s actions challenge this.

Injustice and Hypocrisy

The novella exposes the profound injustice inflicted upon vulnerable women and girls by the Magdalene Laundries. It also reveals the hypocrisy of a society that allows such institutions to operate unchecked, often under the guise of religious charity.

• Example: The opulent lifestyle of the nuns contrasts sharply with the squalid conditions and forced labour of the girls.
• Quote: “They would prefer to look the other way.” This suggests a collective blindness to the atrocities.
• Essay Tip: Connect this theme to the cultural context of 1980s Ireland.

Family and Fatherhood

Bill Furlong’s own origins as the illegitimate son of a maid profoundly influence his empathy. His love for his daughters drives his protective instincts. This theme explores the transformative power of love and parental responsibility.

• Example: Bill remembers his mother’s kindness and the protection he received, contrasting it with Sarah’s lack of nurture.
• Quote: “He thought of his own daughters waking up in their beds.” This thought motivates his intervention.
• Essay Tip: Analyse how Bill’s past shapes his present actions and his understanding of ‘family’.

Silence and Denial

A oppressive atmosphere of silence and unspoken truths pervades the town. Many characters choose denial over confronting uncomfortable realities. This theme highlights how silence perpetuates injustice.

• Example: The townspeople avoid discussing the convent’s activities, fearing social ostracisation or economic ruin.
• Quote: “People kept their own counsel.” This phrase captures the culture of secrecy.
• Essay Tip: Explore the social pressures that encourage silence and the personal cost of breaking it.

Mastering Themes in Small Things Like These for Exams

To excel in the Leaving Cert English exam, you must demonstrate a deep understanding of these themes. Do not just list them; analyse their development and impact on the narrative. Always use textual evidence to support your points. Consider the nuanced portrayal of characters and their motivations.

For more detailed analysis of specific issues, explore our guide on Small Things Like These theme or issue.

Key Takeaways

• Moral Courage: Bill’s individual act against societal complicity.
• Injustice: The brutal reality of the Magdalene Laundries.
• Family: Bill’s empathy rooted in his own background and love for his children.
• Silence: How denial enables widespread suffering.