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Cal
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Sometimes a novel can change your view of a major issue or political problem of our time by giving you a fresh insight into it. Did Cal change your views in any way? Was the success or failure of Cal in changing your way of thinking about Northern Ireland due to MacLaverty’s success of failure as a writer? The novel Cal written by Bernard MacLaverty gives a brief insight into the Catholic-Protestants conflict that exists in present-day Northern Ireland. The story follows a young man Cal, a confused 19-year Old Catholic boy living in a Protestant residential area of town in Northern Ireland. The story is tragic and touching and Bernard MacLaverty manages to make a moving novel out of the complexities of Northern Ireland through Cal’s perspective. Through evaluation of Cal it changed my view of the situation in Northern Ireland to a certain extent. The story demonstrated the situation from a personal outlook guiding us through a young mans struggle to deal with the conflict. This gave a better insight than the one that is usually portrayed in the news and media. The novel also showed arguments from both sides of the fence through the other characters actions and beliefs. This was another contribution that gave a better insight. However it doesn’t change my views the to point that I agree with the fighting, it just gives a better understanding and sympathetic viewpoint to both sides were innocent people are involved. As previously mentioned Cal McCluskey lives in a Protestant residential area of town with his widowed father Shamie who is abattoir worker. They are the only remaining Catholic inhabitants in their town. As a result of this Cal is a prime target for protestant troublemakers, Cal is beaten up and Shamies house is burnt down. To be protected by his country men, Cal participated reluctantly in the activities of the IRA forced upon him from society. He was also forced to help his friend Crilly kill a police officer and commit other charges.
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