PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME!

PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME!

A young prospective man called Gar O 'Donnell is the centre point of

the book 'Philadelphia Here I Come'. The action takes place the night

before and the morning of Gar's departure for Philadelphia. Gar lives

in a small village in County Donegal called Ballybeg. Gar finds his

home life very boring and repetitive. Through out the book Gar shows

his feelings about the village by what he says and does.

"Aye, and but for Aunt Lezzy and the grace of God, you'd be there

tonight, too, watching the lights go out over the village, and hearing

the front doors being bolted, and seeing the blinds being raised; and

you stamping your feet to keep the numbness from spreading, not

wanting to go home, not yet for another while, wanting to hold on to

the night although nothing can happen now, nothing at all…". This is

one example were Gar shows his realistic views.

The book was set in the 1960's, and at this time Ireland was a lot

different than it is today. There was a lot of Irish emigrating to

nearer countries to live a new life. One reason for this was because

the Irish economy was in a depressed state. The people of Ballybeg

were slaves of routine, and they had very little to do in such a small

community.

Gar soon realises that he will never be able to live an exciting life

in Ballybeg and soon recognizes that he has no future in his home

village. This leads to Gar deciding to move to Philadelphia, where he

hopes life has a better impact on his future. There are many reasons

for Gar wanting to leave Ballybeg. Gars life has been a very emotional

time. Gars mother died shortly after his birth, this was a huge upset

for him and his father. To make things worst Gar's father, S.B, does

not get on with his only son, even know Gar lives and works with him.

They see each other every day and still their communication levels are

low. ''If he wants to speak to me he knows where to find me! But I'm

damned if I'm going to speak to him first''. This is one example of

were Gar gets so annoyed he starts to take it out on poor Madge who is

trying to help. Gar doesn't mean to but it is he is so annoyed at the

sate of his life. They only communicate when essential. Gar is leaving

for Philadelphia in the morning, and still his father does not take

this in to consideration to offer him a fare well.