Family
Most of Claire Keegan's novels revolve around family, making it one of the predominant themes in Small Things like These. The protagonist, Furlong, is a family man who works hard to support his wife and five daughters. In the introductory parts of the book, Furlong remembers how his mother worked tirelessly as a domestic worker in wealthy families to support her family. As the head of the family, Furlong runs his merchant business to ensure his wife, Eileen, has everything she needs. Therefore, Furlong attributes his success in business to his family because it motivates him to work extra hard to achieve his goals.
Poverty is not a permanent situation.
Furlong grew up a poor boy, and people hated him because his mother was very poor and could not afford the basic needs that he needed. The reader learns that Furlong's mother lived a shameful life because the only thing she did in life was to work as a domestic worker. However, Furlong turned everything around because he believed he was not born to die a poor man. Furlong is now a rich man who is successful in his merchant business and can afford anything he wants. Therefore, no situation in life is permanent as long as one is determined to achieve their destiny. Keegan uses Furlong as a motivating factor to challenge her readers to try new things and pursue their goals tirelessly because there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Child Abuse
The convent, supposed to be a heaven for girls, is paradoxically doing the contrary. The nuns are treated with a lot of respect in society, and people expect them to be humane in everything they do. Ironically, Furlong discovers that the girls in the convent are mistreated and subjected to child labor. Most of the girls work in the convent's laundry business to generate revenue for the nuns. One of the girls approaching Furlong asks him to help her escape because the nuns mistreat and abuse her.
