Small Things Like These Analysis

Set in 1985 in New Rose, Ireland, Small Things like These is a historical fiction novel told from the third-person perspective to explore the themes of change, the significance of the family, and compassion. Claire Keegan uses her novel's ardent tone and reflective mood to motivate readers to be optimistic in whatever they do and expect positive results. Furlong is the central character, and the antagonist is the convent, one of Furlong's most loyal customers. The main conflict in the novel emerges when Furlong confronts the nuns over the mistreatment of the girls that they are supposed to protect and nature. Some of the literary elements Keegan uses in Small Things like These to make her novel a gem include allusions and paradox.

The first major issue or point of focus in the novel is family. Furlong is a dedicated family man who wants to excel in whatever he does to provide for his wife and five daughters. Furlong recalls how his mother suffered while working as a domestic worker in Mrs. Wilson's house. Consequently, Furlong's primary motivation to excel as a merchant is to provide for his family. The other theme that comes out in the novel changes. Furlong's experience was bad because people mistreated them for being poor. However, fate is on the side of Furlong because he is now one of the most successful businesses in the small town of New Rose. Therefore, Keegan emphasizes the significance of buoyancy, fortitude, and hard work to achieve positive change in life. Keegan explores the theme of compassion when Furlongs decides to help the girl from the convent to escape. Furlong learns that girls in the convent are abused and subjected to child labor. Therefore, Furlong decides to confront the nuns, ask them to be humane, and do what society expects of them.

The main paradox in the novel is when the reader discovers that nuns are inhumane and prioritize profit maximization at the expense of the young girls in the convent. The girls work in the laundry business instead of learning and doing what is expected of them in the convent. The paradox leads to the novel's climax when Furlong meets Sister Carmel to demand answers on what is happening in the convent. The harsh revelation of what girls go through in the convent alludes to the inhumane acts of religious institutions which claim that they are serving humanity but instead do the contrary.