henry

Throughout the novel, A Star Called Henry, Henry strives to not become his father; however, Henry is unable to rid himself of his fathers influence and in many ways turn into his father. Henry’s father was known throughout Dublin; the “tap tap” of his wooden leg was the last thing that many people heard as they walked down the streets. When Henry senior leaves, Henry takes one of his legs as a way to remember his father. In addition Henrys coat becomes very similar to his father’s in the way he uses it. Finally, Henry works as a hit man just like his father. Although Henry is determined not to become his father, Henry’s actions prove that despite his efforts he has become his father.

One way in which Henry becomes his father is his use of the leg. Henry’s father was known for his wooden leg, he used it to walk as well as carry out assassinations for Alfie Gandon. Henry senior’s leg was a major part of who he was and he leaves this legacy to his son. When Henry’s father leaves the family he leaves one of his legs, Henry takes this leg and makes use of it throughout his life. One way that Henry uses the leg is as a weapon, just like his father did. Henry first uses thye leg to kill a castle rozzer. As the new rebellion was getting started Henry and the other revolutionists stage a protest outside of the castle and when it got ugly Henry says he “took a running swing at a Castle rozzer with my father’s leg. The papers the day after said it was a hurley. He hit the ground at the same time as the wooden smack came back to me, and the leg stung nicely in my hand.” This is the first time Henry talks about killing a man in detail, and he does it with the leg showing he is turning into his father. In addition to killin...

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...e IRA they hand him a piece of paper with a name on it and he is to go kill the man whose name is on the note. Henry’s occupation solidifies the fact that he has become his father, and proves that he cannot escape his fathers legacy.

Henry does not like his father, calling him a “gobshite” multiple times. Despite this he does follow in the footstep of his father in certain aspects of his life. However, Henry does not totally become his father. For example, Henry rebels against Alfie Gandon, killing him the first time he sees him. This, as Gandon himself said, is something Henry’s father would never do. And Finally, Henry throws his coat and his father’s leg away. When he comes out of the river he lets the leg float away, and when his daughter tries to nurse on the coat Henry throws it out into the rain, cleansing himself of his father’s influence.