Bog Child Essay - 3458 Words

Bog Child Essay Set on the border of Northern Ireland in the early 1980s, Siobhan Dowd’sBog Child explores the human side of political conflict, particularly the Northern Irish conflict known as the Troubles. As the novel begins, Fergus McCann and his Uncle Tally cross the border into Southern Ireland to pilfer peat from a bog. While digging, Fergus uncovers the body of a child. At first he assumes she was murdered by the Provisional Irish Republican Army, known as the Provos, a paramilitary group fighting for Irish unity. When police come to examine the body, they realize the girl died long before the Troubles began, probably during the Iron Age. The bog preserved her body, and she is now a major archaeological find. Her body is found so†¦show more content†¦Meanwhile, Mel’s parallel story, Boss Shaughn is murdered. Rur, Boss Shaughn’s son, takes over. Mel is in love with Rur, a tender young man who immediately becomes a much more humane leader than his father was. The famine continues, so Rur returns each family’s tribute so the people will have food until summer. Even after this merciful measure, food remains scarce, and children die. Neighbors mutter, superstitiously blaming both the murder and the bad weather on Mel and her dwarfism. Mel understands this is not true; nevertheless, she offers herself up as a scapegoat. She knows her neighbors will kill her, but she also knows her death will reunite her community and perhaps save the lives of Rur and her family. She all ows herself to be taken to the bog and murdered. Fergus continues carrying packages across the border for Michael Rafters, but he worries about the loss of life that may come with his actions. When Joey goes on with his hunger strike, Fergus tries to back out of his deal with Michael. Michael threatens the life of Owain, a soldier for the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) who guards the border crossing. Fergus has often chatted with Owain, and he knows Owain is a decent person even though he is a soldier. Fergus decides to continue carrying theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem Bog Child By Siobhan Dowd1588 Words   |  7 PagesBog Child Essay by Ruby La Rocca Question 1: Discuss how Siobhan Dowd’s purpose informs the construction of characters and settings in Bog Child Bog Child (2008) by Siobhan Dowd, is a historical romance novel set along the border of North-South Ireland in 1981. The text is established during ‘The Troubles’, a conflict aimed at ending the British rule over Northern Ireland, where the British troops deployed to restore order became targets of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). It follows the mainRead MoreEssay about Emily Dickinsons Use of Humor and Irony1306 Words   |  6 PagesEmily Dickinsons Use of Humor and Irony While much of Emily Dickinsons poetry has been described as sad or morose, the poetess did use humor and irony in many of her poems. This essay will address the humor and/ or irony found in five of Dickinsons poems: Faith is a Fine Invention, Im Nobody! Who are you?, Some keep the Sabbath Going to Church and Success Is Counted Sweetest. The attempt will be made to show how Dickinson used humor and / or irony for the dual purposes of comic reliefRead MoreThe Open Window Analysis751 Words   |  4 PagesH. Munro (Saki) (1870-1916). The story is about an extended family including Framton as the major character. He is a young boy who is supposed to undergo a nerve cure and experiencing health problems living with a complicated family. Vividly this essay has a lot of humor and high levels of literacy. In a nutshell the â€Å"open window† by H. H. Munro is a descriptive layout on how literary skills and profession has been applied vastly to establish a profound creativity. This story is attributed and asRead MoreLeaving The Comforts Of The First World By Jessica Alexander974 Words   |  4 Pagesher by the NGO. She felt so guilty and upset about having all the commodities she could ever need and want while the people she helped in Africa were still suffering. Whereas in Sierra Leone, Jessica learned about the struggles and horrors former child soldiers experienced when they were active recruits. And she finally concluded her travels by aiding the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Throughout the novel, Jessica Alexander returns home from her work and encounters the negativities of theRead MoreCaliban in William Shakespeare ´s The Tempest: The Victim Undercover as a Villain525 Words   |  3 PagesIn the play, The Tempest, by William Shakespeare, Caliban is an important character. Caliban is a character who plays as a victim to be pitied, as well as a villain to watch out for. In this essay, I will show clearly how Caliban is a victim and villain by exploring his relationship with Prospero, Miranda, and the island. Caliban has been a victim of mistreatment for many reasons. Him and Miranda definitely do not have a good relationship, in fact Miranda absolutely hates him and she is frightenedRead MoreComparsion of the Thematic of Violence in Earlier and later Heaney2476 Words   |  10 Pagesworks of Heaney as in this we see many references to the troubles. In 1975 still in the midst of the problems Heaney published North, which was a much more indept analysis on the conflict. Both these publishcations will be examined as part of this essay to look at â€Å"theamatic of violence of Heaney’s work in early and later years. We see violence cut across Heaneys pastoral passions and makes him speak out as a citizen of Northern Ireland. Very similar to the First World War poets, who were torn fromRead MoreOur Secret by Susan Griffin Essay1009 Words   |  5 Pagestwentieth century and in particular the era of the Second World War as a basis for her study. The essay discusses a number of peopl e but they all tie in to Heinrich Himmler. He is the extreme case, he who can be linked directly to every single death in the concentration camps. Griffin seeks to examine Himmler because if she can discern a monster like Himmler than everyone else simply falls into place. The essay also tries to deduce why something like the Holocaust, although never mentioned directly, canRead More European Colonization in Shakespeares The Tempest Essay1279 Words   |  6 Pagesunderstandably a cause of the ridiculous monsters deep resentment toward his overlord, and it is with some justification that the spawn of Sycorax invokes natures wrath upon his tormentor, as in his curse, all the infections that the sun sucks up/From bogs, fens, flats on Prospero fall... (II, ii., ll.1-2). Caliban himself embodies many of the characteristics that civilized Europeans came to associate with the primitive natives of the New World. As in the Elizabethan stereotype, Caliban is withoutRead MoreThe And The Babylonian Essay1568 Words   |  7 PagesLucas Morgan Mr. Hare Book Essay Despite the fact that of however constrained degree, this unobtrusive book indicates not just the fascinating way of the revelations made generally years in the region of Jraq, additionally the significance of the occupants of the Babylonian plain. Prior to the revelation of the Assyro-BabyIonian engravings, the name Sumerian was for all intents and purposes obscure. Right now no history of the Euphrates valley can be composed without giving them a huge placeRead More Albee and Williams Use of Virility in Their Plays Essay2023 Words   |  9 Pagespresented as vivid and virile. Both playwrights suggest that physical and sexual dominance over women leads to an improved perception and status of men. George’s power over Martha is not evident until the end of the play when he ‘kills’ their child. George says, ‘We got a telegram; there was a car accident, and he’s dead. POUF!’ Followed by Martha’s reply ‘(A howl†¦ weakens into a moan) NOOOOOOoooooo’. By killing their son he kills the illusion which gives Martha her maternal role, and she effectively