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Having noticed that the police is an often
mentioned aspect in Eureka Street, we chose to
have a closer look at how McLiam Wilson presents the police. We came
to the unexpected conclusion that he pictures them relatively fairly
although he himself cannot have too many positive experiences (being
Catholic whilst the Royal Ulster Constabulary at the beginning of
the 90s was Prostestant).
Robert
McLiam Wilson’s Eureka Street demonstrates a disillusionment with
the legal system. After being addressed by a police officer in
retribution for his relationship with Mary, Jake reflects that
“it was all just fair…for a change,” and “[finds himself]
admiring his self-control” (p. 86), because the officer does not
use Jake’s religion against him, bringing him to the station
and beating him up with the support of other police officers. The
decision of the police officer not to abuse the justice system in
order to torture Jake has the effect of a welcome surprise, which
does not speak well for Jake’s opinion of the justice system, or
of the integrity of police officers. Jake is typically philosophical
about his punishment for getting close with the officer's girlfirend
Mary, but his attitude towards the injustice in general is
surprisingly insensitive.
While Aoirghe is furious at the prospect
of the corruption of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, pointing out
that, “there is an average of one hundred serious assaults by the
RUC every year…there are no convictions” (p. 97) |spot
on Aoirghe|, Jake seems
unconcerned, accepting it as just another aspect of life in Belfast.
by
Lu Tran and Julia Dittmann
No,
there's no special police force in Eureka Street, Belfast - but in
Eureka/Missouri there is!
back
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zuletzt geändert: 13.02.05 14:44:08
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