Impermanence
Paddy Clarcke is a ten-year-old boy. There is nothing special about him. Just like the rest of his classmates, Paddy likes playing with his friends and breaking the rules, and is not very fond of his siblings. Paddy is carefree, mischievous, and funny—in other words, he is just a child. His life changes overnight. His father leaves the family and Paddy is forced to grow up faster than his friends and siblings. He has to step forward and help his mother who is not used to the idea of women being in the workforce. Paddy’s childhood is so impermanent that he doesn’t even manage to enjoy it properly.
Sibling Rivalry
Paddy believes that his life could be more adventurous if Francis hadn’t been born. Being an older brother, he is obliged to take care of him. Obviously, sibling rivalry ensues. Notwithstanding the fact that Paddy is not a bad boy at all, he can be rather cruel to Francis. The story of their relationship is rocky—they don’t understand each other, so they try to prove to each other that one of them is less loved or cared about by their parents. Though their mother tries her best to extinguish their conflicts, the boys are too immature to understand that they are not rivals.
Separation
Separation is almost always a painful process that causes a lot of pain and emotional distress. It is difficult to admit that you can’t or don’t want to continue a relationship. Some people can’t even stand the thought of handling the situation like a mature person ready to take responsibility for their actions. Patrick’s father doesn’t even try to talk to his children and explain the situation; he leaves the family as if he is a complete stranger. He just disappears, forgetting that he owes his children an explanation and support.
