Philidelphia, Here I Come!: Why does Gar have to leave Ireland? - page 1
Keywords: Philidelphia, Here I Come! Gar Ireland Brian Friel Public Private
By roshooo on 10/06/2010
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 5 pages: 1 2 3 4 5
The era of the 1960s was a time of radical behaviour and revolutionaries. It was a decade of cultural change and increased political involvement which allowed millions of people across the world to become involved in new social trends. The subversive attitudes of people in the Sixties created a romantic idea of freedom and liberation. Around the world there were thousands of events which highlighted the rebellious, righteous ways of the people. In America, civil rights protests and equal rights for blacks were heavily covered in the media and the wide range of support for the reasons behind these protests and marches resulted in the people obtaining these rights. In Vietnam, the Vietcong engaged in war with the US, in the first media-covered war, for communism. In Europe mass protests were held for a variety of reasons, including demonstrations against the Vietnam War and protests for trade union rights - people acted passionately about their beliefs. However, in Ireland, this was not the case. Gar is in Ballybeg, wrapped up in everyday routine and he is sick of living for the same, unpredictable happenings. Ireland is in paralysis, there are no extraordinary events to look forward to and there is no need to break away from the standard way of living.
Gar lives for his fantasies, he needs to escape this monotonous way of life and he feels that the only way to do this is to leave Ireland and go to America. This idea is further glamorized by the ‘American Dream’. Gar romanticizes the idea of going to America; he feels like he will get many opportunities there and that all of the women in America will be infatuated with him, ‘You say the cutest things, big handsome boy’. To get away from Ireland, and escape to the ‘land of the free’, would be an astonishing accomplishment however; this is not main reason for Gar’s leaving. Gar has been left disappointed and unfulfilled by his life in Ireland. He has failed to obtain the affection of this father, which is his strongest wish, the lack of successful role models in his presence and he has come to the realization that his friends made nothing of their lives – and he does not want to turn out the same way.
I believe the key reason to Gar’s leaving is directly related to his longing to be loved. Gar has three very
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