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Basically I think "Eureka Street" is Wilson's way to deal with the
"troubles" and disenchanted North Ireland. Wilson suggests
that after all a satiric and comedic treatment of the problem
underlines the absurdity and pointlessness of the conflict. However,
still, he does include a serious analysis. Wilson uses Jake, one
of the main characters |spot
on Jake| to present his opinion on the hostilities
between Protestants and Catholics:
"resembled no one now as
much as they resembled each other…. That was what I liked about
Belfast hatred. It was a lumbering hatred that could survive
completely on the memories of things that never existed in the first
place."
Although Eureka Street is basically a parody, Wilson
also tries to show his skills by including several other elements in
the story. By picking different characters Wilson creates a realistic
image of today's Northern Ireland. While the plot is funny most of
the time, the chapter which describes the consequences of the civil
bombing and how it affects the novels' characters very differently,
efficiently puts emphasis on the various messages of the novel. At
the same time the conflict separates and unites the inhabitants of
Belfast. The omniscient narrator is like a little bird that can
easily switch its perspective and change its location at will. In
this manner, Wilson is capable of presenting the extensive range of
the "troubles" and the terror which is basically unable to
divide Belfast. Here, he chooses two main characters who do not
share the same confession, but still get along perfectly well. They
also serve as stereotypes of the typcial Irish working-class member. "Eureka
Street" gives an interesting overview of the population of
Belfast but also shocks the reader with its straightforwardness and
honesty. Besides all the praise, there are still some things that
I did not like that much. In my opinion, "Eureka Street"
is almost too ambitious. I think Wilson tries too many different
things at the same time and does not always succeed at it. Partly
the wild description of the minor characteres personal them. Development,
while being entertaining, confuses the reader who thus fails to
remember necessary information from the novel. Although Wilson successfully creates an immense city novel, it is maybe even too
complex and might frighten off some readers. Simon
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