Kyle Liu. Rationale. drunk, jobless, and absentee father of Frank McCourt. It highlights the relationship between

Transcription

1 L i u 1 Kyle Liu Mr.Ruedi English 5B August 19th,2013 Rationale The following creative writing piece is about the background of Malachy McCourt, the drunk, jobless, and absentee father of Frank McCourt. It highlights the relationship between language and identity through Malachy Sr. to demonstrate the horrors of war on the individual. McCourt can be seen as the driving force behind Angela's Ashes because almost every misfortune that befalls the family is a result of his alcoholic action and his sober inaction. Because of his importance to the story, I wanted to further develop his character. I wanted to show how his past is linked to his present. I believe that his present drinking problem and unreliability is connected to his past service in the Irish Republican Army. The Irish War of Independence, known for its brutality and violent nature, left countless dead and maimed throughout the British Island. Malachy McCourt, who had to endure the atrocities of war at a very young age, was sculpted by his service in the IRA. It would lead to his chauvinism and prejudice and also his belief of how a real Irishman should act like. Malachy's transformation is demonstrated in my creative piece through the use of symbolism, dialog, and imagery. His three companions represent and reflect his believes of what and Irishman is, drunk, adventurous, and most importantly undyingly patriotic. In addition, Donavan also represents Malachy's innocence. When Donavan dies, Malachy comes to the realization that like is cruel, a realization that many encounter in the baptismal flames of war. The dialog between characters just further expounds

2 L i u 2 on the aforementioned topic of war as a transformer of identity. Also, the horrific images of explosions and battles are used to justify how war can have a traumatizing and like altering effect on an individual, such as Malachy McCourt. Malachy McCourt "McCourt. McCourt! Wake up! We're here. This is what's left of Dublin." I opened my eyes to find a city in ruin. Blood painted the crumbling and dilapidated buildings in a bright crimson that harshly opposed the dark gloomy grayness of the people and the sky. The truck we were in rocked violently on the turbulent and cracked road as we neared our final destination, the Black Water Pub. There were four of us. Jaime and Ned O'Conner were twins and the leader our group. Their older brother, Robert was a hero within the IRA working out of the Black Water. Then there was Donavan Brennan, a shy frail looking boy, and myself. Donavan and I were the newcomers to the IRA. We were also the youngest, myself being sixteen and Donavan being seventeen. Donavan and I had never been in any fights or anything but we were eager to protect our country. The Black Water stood in surprisingly good condition compared to the decrypted buildings surrounding it. The pub was filled with drunk Irishmen. The smell of piss and vomit combined with the alcohol to produce a noxious stink that could knock a man off his horse. Jaime and Ned went to speak with their older brother, while Donavan and I sat down. "Och, Malachy what do you want to do when this is all over?" Donavan asked nervously. "I haven't given it much thought. What about you Donavan?" I responded. "I'm going to go to New

3 L i u 3 York. They call it the land of opportunity. My cousin saved up enough for fare to New Jersey. Now he is a big time carpenter with his own business in New York City. He bought me a ticket to America so that I can come work for him." Donavan said enthusiastically. He then flashed the bright-green piece of paper that could take someone halfway around the world. Ned came up to us and said it was time to go. "We got what we came for" they said calmly but Jaime and Ned both seemed anxious about something. Neither of them said a word on the ride into the city. We arrived at a garage far into the night. Moonlight created a light hue that was magnified by the reflective, metallic garage door, illuminating us. Jaime and I went to go knock on the door. A large burly man with hair as red and as wild as fire appeared. "Are you O'Connor's piece of crap brother?" he said while slurring his words. The smell of whiskey radiating off of him was almost overwhelming. Before Jaime could answer the large man said "well you look like him" and handed each of us two heavy black bags. The once bright moon now hid behind a thick layer of clouds, permitting no light to pass through it. We loaded the bags into the trunk of the car and drove away. The twins seemed unusually on edge. "What's going on guys? What's in the bags?" Donavan asked timidly. The twins exchanged glances. "My brother is launching a counter attack on the English military base in the area. It's going to get messy." Jaime said as we pulled into the Black Water Pub. The pub was deserted save for Robert. He stood behind the bar pouring drinks. "Here you go, you are going to need these for tomorrow." Robert said with a slight laugh as he handed us glasses full of alcohol. The rebel leader then went on to describe all the details of what would happen in tomorrow's operation. The bags we picked up today turned out to be filled with explosives. Donavan and I would detonate the explosives on the north wall and then run to safety

4 L i u 4 while the main rebel group would assault the south. The O'Conner brothers thought us too young to join in the fight so we were to return to the bar right after we blew the explosives. Jaime and Ned would help lead the assault on the south wall. I started to guzzle down my drink. A feeling of warmth that I've never experienced before swept through my body. Our worries melted away as we sang Irish folk songs about Kevin Barry and how he died for Ireland. Robert then made each of us promise to die for Ireland. This had to be the most fun any of us have had in a while. The following morning Donavan and I drove up to the north wall with a car full of explosives. We were to wait for a flare from the main group before we detonated the explosives. Up in the sky the green flare shined brightly like a lone star behind a dark grey backdrop of clouds. Donavan lit the fuse and then we ran behind a building for cover. The sound of the explosion rang out like a drum throughout the city. When we looked back all that was left was a fiery abyss. "Let's get out of here!" I said as we raced back frantically to the pub before the English soldiers could catch wind of us. Back in the bar I went into the storage room to get something to eat. Suddenly there was a loud thump behind the door, jamming it. "Donavan, what was that?" I asked nervously. "I'm sorry Malachy. I have to go help Jaime and Ned. You are still too young." Donavan said hastily. "Everyone always says that but I'm not! I'm almost a man. I can go help." I said between tears, but he was already gone. After what seemed to be eons I finally unwedded the door. I rushed to the south wall to find Donavan. I arrived just in time to see a new English battalion slaughter the rebels. My friends, who have become my family, cut down one by one before my eyes. I spotted Donavan

5 L i u 5 immediately laying amongst the corpses, almost one himself. Upon seeing me his eyes lit up. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his boat ticket and handed it to me. "Go" Donavan said, as he slipped away. I grabbed the ticket and ran. Donavan had died for Ireland but I had to live for Ireland.