migratorio. Palabras clave Tóibín acabo novela. que lleva esta en desmitologización de proceso y el subversión la sujeto diaspórico, del deconstrucción la con relacionadas cuestiones en ahondar es artículo presente del objetivo el premisas, estas de Partiendo protagonista. impone la en irlandesa patriarcal sociedad la que morales obligaciones las porabsorbidos finalmente quedarán a Norteamérica que definen aparentemente liberales valores los ente mundos, dos Atrapada maduración. de proceso como despertar del experiencia yla alienación la fuera, como propio su en sujeto país tanto del dislocación la cultural, choque el otro/extranjero, del comodesplazamiento el Irlandés/a, temas explora Tóibín inmigrante del/la figura sobre la tradicionales estereotipos ycuestionar intento transgredir de claro mujer un En tiempo. su de una para comunes poco aspiraciones dos independiente, yser carrera su terminar de deseo el persiguiendo marcha se Eilis futuro, prometida” esperanzador ysu tierra sobre “la idealizadas de versiones confiante ypoco reacia 50. los de Aunque década Unidos la en aEstados desa Tóibín, Colm novela de La Resumen subject. words Key narrative. Irish contemporary in of demythologization process its subversion and its subject, to Tóibín’s related diasporic fore Irish matters of to the the bring deconstruction is to discussion the present of the purpose mind, in questions these all bearing Therefore, protagonist. on the imposed has society Irish patriarchal extremely an that duties moral the by engulfed finally are America by North projected values liberal apparent the worlds, two between in Caught awakening. and of growth experience alienating the and abroad, and athome subject of the dislocation the divide, other, cultural foreign of the the displacement the Tóibín as themes such emigrant, explores Irish to the associated stereotypes ditional tra author’s the In atreversing of her attempt time. for awoman aspirations unusual two independence: kind of some andachieve to of her own career a to fulfil her desire pursues nevertheless Eilis future, of ahopeful and land” of notions “the promise idealized received by discouraged and reluctant 1950s. early Although the in United States to the Ireland from Tóibín’sColm novel Abstract DEMYSTIFYING STEREOTYPES OF THE IRISH MIGRANT MIGRANT IRISH OF THE STEREOTYPES DEMYSTIFYING YOUNG WOMAN IN COLM TÓIBÍN’S BROOKLYN COLM IN YOUNG WOMAN Revista CanariadeEstudiosIngleses,68;April 2014,pp. 173-184; ISSN:0211-5913 : Colm Tóibín,: Colm Brooklyn : Colm Tóibín,: Colm Brooklyn (2009), recounts the story of a young woman who emigrates emigrates who woman of ayoung story the , Brooklyn (2009), recounts Marisol Morales Ladrón Morales Marisol Universidad de Alcalá de Universidad (2009), traza la historia de una joven emigrante irlan joven emigrante una de historia la (2009), traza , diaspora, emigration, dislocation, Ireland, migrant migrant Ireland, dislocation, emigration, , diaspora, , diáspora, emigración, dislocación, Irlanda, sujeto Irlanda, dislocación, emigración, , diáspora, * - -

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 173 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 174 and and stories— of short collection two prizes, literary long-established with awarded (1999), and the myths that lay behind female Irish diaspora. Irish female lay behind that myths the and Brooklyn was result the 2009 Booker Prize for literature, won the prestigious Costa Novel 2010, Award Costa in won for prestigious literature, the Booker Prize 2009 the for nominated public, was general the and by critics both internationally praised been of Brooklyn post-famine emigration, account realistic and athriving as Regarded or United the States. Barcelona, as places diverse such in exile own on his he would time reflect same at the while origins to his of toa result need return the (Tóibín, it “fit would make seamlessly” in that “Writing”). Therefore, Brooklyn collection father’s his at he home not did dead, life include after with it much his in as as heard he had “House account the short story for the with Sale,” written he dealt had which South The novels— seven written He has literature. Irish in voices brightest one of the as regarded been author, has that could also accommodate a hard social criticism on the Ireland of his youth. of his on criticism Ireland the social ahard accommodate also could that before he decided to reworkfabrication years, it into forty a fictional formind almost (Murphy 87;country Travers 188), Tóibín’s in remained account poignant but this over the people of all Irish imagination the fueled had immigrants stories of returned (Witchel 33; Tóibín,pearances dreadful and “Writing”). amazing For decades many of keeping ap the and to force her by marriage back only served had beloved Ireland to her whose return and life United to of the pursuit a better in States emigrated had mother, who of woman to ayoung his story acurious respects heto heard pay their people which went house during to his gatherings one At of social the a long illness. (MINECO, research project FFI2011-23941). project research (MINECO, Innovation and of Science Ministry previously Competitiveness, and of Economy Ministry ish (Wiesenfarth 26), Brooklyn (Wiesenfarth history” away it from home governsbeing Irish one is that subjects of because great the 2011 in shortlisted was and IMPAC Award. for International the Literary Dublin dangers and evils of such modern world, Eilis dutifully accepts the decisions made by by decisions made the accepts of dutifully modern such world, Eilis evils and dangers on the or notions exaggerations of promised land, the either idealized value received at first to take 1950s. unwilling early United the the in States Although childhood—to much lived Co. Wexford—where of in his author the himself of Enniscorthy village her 12-year-old had left the room. I was lucky that she didn’t” she (Tóibín, that “Writing”). lucky Iwas room. the left had 12-year-old her shouldn’t told until be story the that decided have would my mother sure intently, so Iam listening Iwas known had women two grow. those If and there linger long, that my mind in stay could earlier century ahalf told almost anecdote astray that it was how strange thinking stopped “I never that: (2010)—plays, essays, journalist articles, travel books and some literary criticism. literary some and books travel articles, journalist essays, (2010)—plays, Family Empty The Master The 3 2 1 the Span by financed been has article of this writing out the for carried e research * from suffering Tóibín Colm after When father he lost his only twelve, was In toneIn Tóibín’s with alot people he about “writing is Irish that assertion own (1990), (1990), olm Tóibín, who was a prominent journalist before he became an internationally acclaimed acclaimed internationally an he became before journalist Tóibín,olm aprominent was who s much as his own desire to return to his origins (Fernández 84), the author has explained explained has author 84), the (Fernández origins his to return to desire own his as s much is is the previous Whitbread Book Award, which changed its denomination in 2006. in denomination its changed which Award, Book Whitbread previous the is is

C A Th Th Blazing Heather The (2004) (2004) , a novel that explored the rights and wrongs, as much as the truths truths the much as as wrongs, and , anovel explored rights the that Brooklyn deals with Eilis Lacey’s reluctant migration from the small small from the migration Lacey’s reluctant Eilis with deals (2006) as he had already planned to write a second part to a second write part planned already he had as (2006) (2009) and and (2009) (1992), (1992), (2012)—some of which have been been have (2012)—some of which of Mary The Testament (1996), (1996), Night the of Story The 2 Although some years before before some years Although Blackwater The (2006) Mothers and Sons (2006) 1 was was The The has has - 3 -

Irish people had to face in America. in people to face had Irish the that explored struggles and the stagnation, and of poverty ondwelled images twonations. the of clichés oversimplified to export ways many contributing in centuries, produced end at the of 19th 20th the early and a prominent fiction the United to in the issue became migration States Irish that is one or other, the here or more at stake probably, of remains what both, amixture (188). it society” involved Irish deep-rooted in forces because confronting it Be either traumatic one, and least not a difficult “was to emigrate interpretation of reasons the alternative an since maintained was of aconsequence colonialism British as emigration (85). of terms marriage or in even Forsocially Pauric of Travers, view nationalist the to improve economically, opportunities lives, their of people gave achoice further that result the was emigration that on other,people. the ones who the An argue are there of thousands of many so for exile on the repression Ireland British policy astrong and who blamed those are there one On the post-famine emigration. hand, behind lie that possible the reasons positions have adopted critics to explain two explained, has Murphy Maureen As emigrants. female and male between and other destinations, Canada—and America—including Britain, between famine, the after before and (1). resumed” emigration between would to need made be To distinctions with, start and too complexsuperficially to such,controversial briefly be are and as ately labeled phenomenon inappropri artistic often an as and century of nineteenth the half latter the since of mass-emigration terms sociological in both diaspora, Irish called of so the facets themany along with exile, of themyth Irish issue of “The that: claims instance, (Arrowsmith; Wondrich;terms in such fied Roberta Ward; Mulligan). Wondrich, for subjecthowever, be to simpli diaspora, and is a too broad multifarious Irish The living. the conditions of of worldbetter pursuit in of parts different to whose flee peoplesto had of notion the of imaginary. deconstruction home the with for emigrant the Tóibín’sand subject female diasporic theIrish of demystification the with concerns my fore to to intentionthe bring is present issues, the discussion with these of all light society. of obligations anarrow-minded Irish Therefore, moral byin the and culture American the of values the apparentliberal both by end up engulfed finally will Eilis worlds, two between in Caught awakening. and of growth experience alienating the of subject the at home dislocation the abroad, and and divide, as-other, cultural the Tóibínemigrant, of foreign displacement woman- the the as explores themes such Irish female to the associated author’sthe stereotypes traditional attempt to revise herhome. back In call news dramatic until wishes her to fulfill manages ence—she kind independsome of and to a find jobto attain studies, her bookkeeping resume to being, for of —these her awoman aspirations time With unusual future. hopeful for a her search older mother in and sister, Atlantic sent the is across to and avoyage Elinor Preston; or, the Scenes at Home and and Home at Scenes the or, Preston; (1855), Elinor Sadlier’s Daughter Anne Immigrant’s The or, Mary A large amount of novels dealing with the famine published after the 1840s the published after famine the with of amount novels dealing A large epitome the land as Ireland of emigrant the placed has history For centuries 4 xamples abound, among which we could list the following: Charles Cannon’s Charles following: the list could we which among abound, xamples E 4 In fact, Melissa Fegan demonstrates that, demonstrates Fegan Melissa fact, In Bickerton; Bickerton; - - -

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 175 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 176 actual American home. American actual their to opposition in set as homeland imagined of their recreation untruthful this abandon to tried Americans of Irish generation Castle third Cloyne the (1885). that here add also One should of Chronicles (1870), (1873) Brew’s The Reilly Garland In re Annie McElgun’s John or Margaret Abroad their original Irish identity mainly through the practice of religion and customs (Colman 153). (Colman customs and of religion practice the through mainly identity Irish original their to faithful remain to them encouraging world, new of the dangers of the readers alerting at aimed pass unnoticed:pass regard, Sadlier’sto should The not, Conway this Preface due in Bessy return. their her people on all embrace could Motherland that the ideal, pastoral the as stood world, Ireland site or represented while adegraded either that future apromising imagined an as emerged host land the of time, the other narratives in much as as America Sadlier’s Anne in Orphan or, The Irish Willy Burke; Mary as novels, such influential in were exported community and on piety,of homeland based the family nature, images and idealized theninterchangeable, became equation TheIrish-Catholic cans. Ameri Protestant from the themselves distinguish and religion their practice could where immigrants aparish were around built communities values, traditional Irish (1861), (1861), O’Donnell O’Ryan’s Frank Power Edmund Conyngham’s David and Julia and begun to be literature. (9) literature. to be begun and historical, be to ceased The Famine due incompetence. to government Famine the during disease and of starvation people died million two that claim its challenge 5 do well they whether themselves with it rests that assured be them Let class. own of their of many so ruin the been have which pitfalls and to avoid nares the time, same the and at employers, their of thepart on confidence inspire and respect win them how to showing by mine, of country-women young these to benefit desire asincere from book this written Ihave America... in atservice living a precarious earn who girls Catholic Irish the that influences to evil more exposed no class is world, there civilized of the extent vast the Perhaps in next. the in piness hap world, and this in to success path —failing never and out true for work, the themselves lot to hire is whose class numerous that —specially America in girls to point out attempt to Irish It or simply an aworse. is it for abetter one mistaking any of possibility is thereno that indeed, so plain, is plain; book the The of object 1850Most of novels the published after showed how, order in to preserve Supplement Literary 1910 in controversial: being stopped Times the material the acclaimed, critically more became the novels as Ironically, Famine. during most suffered they that arguing converts, for Protestant Famine the to claim sought even texts Protestant evangelical oppression. Several and for violence ashorthand became phor which tool, acomplex meta apolitical was Famine League—the Land the language, Irish conversion,the emigration, stake: at agenda an always was There issues. political with loaded became subject literary as Famine the progressed, century the as adlier (1820-1903) had emigrated to Canada in 1844 and her purposely didactic works works didactic purposely her 1844 and in (1820-1903) Canada to adlier emigrated had (1850), (1861). in Girl America or, The Irish Conway; Bessy and S praised Mildred Darby’s Mildred praised without even seeking to seeking even without Hunger The and heartfelt heartfelt and 5 In these, these, In - - - applies to the decades between the mid-twenties to the early fifties (Ingman 15).(Ingman fifties early the to mid-twenties the between decades the to applies (Tóibín, Brooklyn 32). this” to compared dullness sheer was London or even or Coventry or Liverpool Birmingham in a shop work in to to... Going alert fully were Rose and she that of romance element an had by a priest, organized away, all streets few a lodgings with Brooklyn in ashop work in to “going since foreignness, and distance to reduced be hall anywhere in Ireland on the night of a concert or a wedding” (Tóibín, or of a wedding” on a concert night the Ireland in anywhere hall it a parish have been could that her in hand, of sherry a glass “as she with down sat notices by Eilis Father Brooklyn, Flood in ingly, organized one in of gatherings the theNotland. surpris by host influenced less turn, them, in making community of Irish areplica no the to need “transplant” was there to stay prepared were less Brooklyn Atlantic—as involved the crossing the opportunity to demonstrate along the following pages. following the to along demonstrate opportunity the Ihope to as have story the in resource therefore, abasic constitute outcomes will, into reader the unexpected guides constantly voice that of anarrative use masterful there did not necessarily mean that a more fortunate future awaited them. awaited future a more that fortunate mean not did there necessarily of frequent of emigrant’s lack the the news doings that she to comes think Besides, one-way likely journey. avery in behind family the leaving entails, to America moving of her commitment able that bigger sister, mother is the to and see Eilis it not did include “elementseasonal, the (Tóibín, of romance” Brooklyn reflects on the validity of the unquestionedthe appropriationof since the validity of a on myth, reflects she destinies, both On comparing job of pursuit opportunities. better in to Britain brothers have her emigrated three while to to go America encouraged why she being is (129). issue” the surrounding debates wonders novel Eilis the In under discussion, women’s to England, from Ireland and absent texts emigrants from voices the are applicable to women: “Despite male outnumbering consistently particularly turning experience,” emigrant Irish defined “the has silence that who maintains Arrowsmith, followed (190). Aidan Australia and by shared also Canada opinionis This America, choice, which to first the became Britain date this after but that to to go America, preferred 89). late 1920s, the up emigrants until Travers that Irish Besides, explains shame and reproach to both. (5) to both. reproach and shame or bring faith, their and do honor country to their they whether America, in or ill 7 6 attitudes patronizing the spite and In of her of agency lack her age, young (Tóibín, 24) Brooklyn: true. be could proud. She that wondered and if there were happy they Instead, home. missed no one went who to America Enniscorthy, missed England in lived who town the people from while that, also work out to come believe how she had to She tried rich. become money, could people went who to America for ordinary work ordinary did gone to England had who town the from girls and boys the while morewas nature. It of adifferent was Contrarily, to Britain emigration hile 52,000 women emigrated to the United States, 180,000 chose Britain. This figure figure This Britain. chose 180,000 States, United the to emigrated women 52,000 hile cannot England and America between differences that fact the on reflects who Eilis t is W I clearly shows—and since immigrants immigrants since shows—and clearly 32) 7 Brooklyn Toíbín’s 6 that that -

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 177 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 178 of leaving this house herself and having her own house, with her own family” (Tóibín, Brooklyn family” own her with house, own her having and herself house this of leaving no marriage prospects entail. prospects no marriage job and amenial with Ireland in awoman being that of limitations the aware well is streets” (Tóibín, Brooklyn (Tóibín, streets” the through prams pushing seen be to were who schoolmates of former her many than life better amuch had she that remarked often she single; remained she boyfriends, several had had she while and, year, every more glamorous was thought, Eilis thirty, at “Rose, status: her regarding sister elder of her decisions of proud the feels fact, in Eilis, own. her choice this make to her led have to seems “(M)Others.” article, my own see history, of Irish Brooklyn Catholic church, which “highlighted the moral danger posed to women young posed who danger moral the “highlighted church, which Catholic supported by not the generally was point in emigration since case interesting an is was part of a duty that she could willingly take (30). take willingly she could of that aduty part was favour in ofsister her offuture younger forher apparent hersacrifice family. This her providing mother and of minding responsibility the at home take remain and (Tóibín, (Tóibín, [...] of Brooklyn “Parts They’reIrish” that: sister of and Ireland. full like just are Brooklyn (Tóibín, can” (190). Ameri and of Irish novel, the In Father amixture Flood, whose “accent was antisocial” even dangerous, evil, as thatethos” emigration state “saw “theand official Ireland left that numbers of immigrants large the between a contradiction existed there Travers that emigration. around remarked has constructed have been that myths received to intoaway do with efficientdevices she encounters, turning reality the with expectations received to contrast set are happenings develops, misleading suspicious (Tóibín, there are Irish that and Brooklyn “too looks Irish” her suitcase that Georgina, mate, travel by her English alerted is soil, she before even 30). she on her steps and voyage American during of First all, (Tóibín, unfamiliar” the with “the of would a struggle be herrest that life prefigure will land Eilis’s that unknown to into the journey reader belief the (15). Ireland” in status and life by “women’s their with explains, dissatisfaction Heather Ingman real but, of jobs as of or by means ashortage alack mainly not it caused was as inasmuch the and during 1940s effect, In significant womenof single 1950swas emigration (187). process” attentiona closer of emigration the to “a gendered understanding paying analyzed and havewould be been to need overlookedhistorians by figures the 1871 of men those but 1971 and that women surpassed numbers of the immigrant between that Travers degrees. and maintains of types variety agood in from male vidual or in a group as a result of contact with another cultural group” (Berry 475). (Berry group” cultural another with of contact aresult as agroup or in vidual , in light of a similar treatment of the female diasporic subject, although in different decades decades different in although subject, diasporic female of the treatment of asimilar light , in 11 10 9 8 superb ironic subtlety, with Tóibín’sNevertheless, leads novel misguidedly differed also emigration female diaspora, of Irish history to the According o matter how unusual this may sound for a woman of her time, Rose’s assertiveness Rose’s assertiveness of time, her awoman for sound may this how unusual o matter Tóibín’s and O’Brien’sEvening of Light The Edna between discussion or acomparative Brooklyn m using here a concept of acculturation defined in terms of the “changes in an indi an in the of “changes terms in defined of acculturation aconcept here m using s Eilis recognizes, “in making it easy for her to go, [Rose] was giving up any real prospect prospect real upany giving was [Rose] go, to her for it easy making “in recognizes, s Eilis N F A I a 8 In the case of Brooklyn case the In 23). The role that this acculturate priest 23).acculturate this The rolethat 11). 22), best illustrates this ambivalence, assuring Eilis’ mother Eilis’ assuring ambivalence, this 22), illustrates best 9 Too late to start her own family, Rose is expected to Too expected her is family, Rose own late to start , Eilis’ sister, Rose, already thirty and single, single, and thirty sister,, Eilis’ already Rose, 49). However, narrative the as 10 11 plays in the narrative narrative the in plays Brooklyn Brooklyn 30). - - in Tóibín’sin (190). novel America to moved actually Eilis before years 1948) (23 April three Press Irish the in appeared they green fields of Ireland to the grey streets of an alien underworld’” (Travers underworld’” alien an of streets 190).grey the to Ireland fields of green from fled and of other‘the lands’ dancehalls and factories ‘kitchens, preferred the away from home” (Tóibín, Brooklyn spent to going have, alife she was only life the was this she that would have to accept areply her, frightened her he that made loved feel expecting that her his and saying her: “His freeze fans who would become Dodgers kids of having expectations his together, that he proposes. Apparently, for fact match, except the perfect he the is only force them will of Eilis woman adishonest making her, that seduces knowing he finally When of him. become wary once again Eilis much as as reader the that reality harsh such in unreal so appear truthfulness and honesty nature, respectful Brooklyn genuinely given her room had the Kehoe out Mrs of (Tóibín, pure generosity” that “It unlikely, she thought, behind: was reason adeceitful be must there that suspects for she her needs study.more quietness more the space, and freedom However, she have can she that theso lodger,in roomhouse, the who best offers Kehoe, her Mrs incompatibletwo worlds. between in trapped and ending, sad her America in finds Eilis uncommon opportunities the between exists that clash the to emphasize serve 18) 33; ultimately 24; Wiesenfarth and Delaney (Böss Ireland in Church Catholic Tóibín’s with contrast genuine intentions also the towards attitude negative habitual no object power” with (Tóibín,an Brooklyn as in positioningher lies by of others herstory tragedy The Atlantic. the re-crosses and she her “Just crosses letters, like America: in community Irish an to construct priest the cultures,” assisting between object position of “as an exchange herself can Eilis Father which Flood’s intentions through amedium should interpreted be as Tellsaid. why doing you it” are (Tóibín, me really Brooklyn why doing you it? that are I’m Is you to do ask this? Rose doing it he for Lord, the “Did him: interrogates intentions, of his shepromise. However, directly wary growing for promotion (Tóibín, prospects” good very and Brooklyn job, herthere in first be would plenty to proveof “wereopportunity Eilis satisfactory girl to attend (Tóibín, it Irish first the fact, Brooklyn where in she College is, Brooklyn in accountancy and her bookkeeping in tuition journey,sponsors Eilis’ arranges evenherand a decent finds livejob, to good a place Father Flood America, in parishes Contrarily, of Irish but tone function in the with migrant woman, who is given all possible options to escape from her past, but possible from her who options past, to given all who woman, escape is migrant encountered by limitations ayoung the anovel bluntlyinterpreted exposes as that be should Brooklyn of this, light people In of time. Irish of the many so imaginary of the formed part which place, evil an as and Other adangerous United as States Tóibín serve and notion areceived encounters America in of the toEilis deconstruct 12 In additionIn to Father Flood’s help, by her disinterested she privileged is 103). Furthermore, she meets and falls in love with the Italian Tony,103). Italian love the in with falls and she meets Furthermore, whose ravers explains that these statements were pronounced by Bishop Lucey of Cork. In fact, fact, In of Cork. Lucey byBishop pronounced were statements these that explains ravers T 143). These instances exemplify the kind of life kind life of the 143).exemplify instances These 167). Interestingly, Father Flood’s truly 77). He assures her family that, that, her family 77). He assures 25), up he to lives his and 77). Bracken, For Claire 12

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 179 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 180 it from herself if she had to until she was away from them” she (Tóibín, was to she until it had if from herself Brooklyn of hint howmoment she she felt, would and keep smallest would the she them give [...]. to America forward looking “that she was not She for that one promised herself house “smiling,” her believe destiny,when them she accepts she to make decides of anarrow-minded society. concerns limited Forcing the to leave and herself the by of her both agency lack engulfed she eventually is until expectations, their ing eitherand for or duty for her to need belong to her community, she up ends fulfill of others, of wishes executer the apassive of As them. advantage any take cannot voice” (Tóibín, Brooklyn (Tóibín, voice” anyone’s sounded like that nothing own and them in personal anything hardly was kind. Her mother’s of there adifferent are not writing little; only “told detached Eilis from her sister, mother receives and provided Eilis which is letters by the America, on this point making it perfectly applicable to Brooklyn it perfectly point making on this Tóibín’s Discussing Ireland. The Blazing Heather in nor of community her family own abroad, neither amember of American the subject, at home adislocated and her her condition place as of foreigner America in have molded her. Therefore, Tóibín’s alluring final twist highlights Eilis’ return to have moldedreturn Eilis’ her. Therefore, highlights twist Tóibín’sfinal alluring that ambiguities and uncertainties the to accommodate are they as incapable Eilis, dispatch callously will mother(land) novel, her mother and allegorical her both real (Tóibín, knew” knew,everyone, or they thought Brooklyn her mother’s other love who in the was and there, fallen whom daughter, Eilis the and Brooklyn in days hard many cold and winters two against one battled who had people, she were two “as though utterly divided, fells ofentirely and to any them belong she cannot that do not loyalties cohere, and she realizes whose values ties, communi different culturally two between in Caught forneed Ireland. in freedom her with America to in committed to dutiesshe unable reconcileshe is the has as her dislocation, to enhance end at motherland the of only serve and her novel will 8-10). (Witchel 32; to Wiesenfarth her childhood mother return his in Eilis’ mark aprofound left mother, own of his distance whose emotional image by the ognized, Tóibín’s in mothers abound monstrous rec the authorhas as production influenced, her from her both mother and motherland. alienation Brooklyn (Tóibín, away” been shelocked if had as could she do. nothing was It Therewas [...]. empty of her. part false, here It was Nothing was anything... meant Nothing Along the novel, the only connection between the two lands, Ireland and and Ireland lands, two the novel, the between only connection Along the land.”no (24) any longer Nietzsche’s metaphor, following “there is which, in afuture about of trepidation and present of the liberation of the past, the of losing inevitability of the a sense at once, “needcaptures, erosionof the for roots.”image The to dismiss reticence a evince also they legacies, its and past nationalist of the critical clearly are novels his While dislocation... and location between atension Tóibín’s manifests writing Eventually, her dishonest behavior in the eyes of her Irish community and and Eventually, of community her eyes Irish the her in behavior dishonest One should comment in this regard that detached, cold, abject or even detached, that regard One should comment this in 67). And “locked away” is precisely the metaphor that best describes her describes best metaphor the precisely 67). is away” that “locked And 66), they also made her feel that: “She was nobody “She here... was her that: made feel also 66), they , Matthew Ryan comments precisely precisely comments Ryan , Matthew : 218). end the of At the 31). - - - caring for her mother now that there is no other woman in the house. for the her in no mother is other there woman now that caring of by responsibility her and sister the brother’s her assume plea insistent to making of her death dramatic the after to Ireland back when she called reversed is is return of myth Thirdly,the version land. nostalgic own of their idealized ofre-creation an constant their in subjects diasporic more who are typical lodgers, her fellow Irish with identify she Secondly, cannot to emigrate. reluctant is America in protagonist the a number ways. in of First, woman different young of migrant the images typical Tóibín stereo emigrant, female Irish challenging is anon-typical America, in Eilis most deeply the (Tóibín, miserable” this Brooklyn its people and on like acold morning on place earth coldest the was America that no knew one that idea Ireland at in the “It smile her made almost she recognizes: As American-Italian. an with her life about abroad and to sharing living butIrish an Irish-American, assimilated nor an by diaspora, displaced citizen neither Irish is an ambivalent” (Tóibín, remain they return, once Brooklyn they and up, from Ireland, grew or from where far they far often are characters His exist. never it ideal, can an “theas for longing home, that knowledge coupled the with saying that she won’t be able to. But we have to go back” (Tóibín, Brooklyn won’t she back” go to that to. have But able we be saying keeps she and house the in on own her She’s home. anight come to you slept never wants she I think but can’t... we stay to able be might one of us She thinks yet. that knows Mammy Idon’tand think workto back go to have we that is thing “The blackmail: emotional through guilty feel her make writings, is embodied in the protagonist herself. protagonist the in embodied is writings, concept about subject fluid and the of diasporic all home,the so in present Tóibín’s not she does discovered just love. whom she to has aman married ofwelcome womanhood, her construction new cannot have not and traditions strong evolved time to duties along and loyalties where to aplace the unknown, to the journey to her her real homeland, as Ireland, torn in-betweenness defined by ambivalence and ambiguity. And one should note note should one And ambiguity. and ambivalence by defined in-betweenness torn be molded will by a woman, divided and emotionally occupy, as a physical finally ofwill she her The own. ofplace acareer of building her the longed and freedom the denial with punished shewoman, finally is a married as status her true own concealed options. wrong the Having she makes that itto her seems life, lead own However, end, either the in due or of to to desire her astrong experience lack own none into (Tóibín, motives when was there intended” malice ing Brooklyn her or “she whether were problem, the herself against people conspiring read are at some of point, although, she wonders even dreamed whether always she has life theindependent to fulfill she given plenty is of opportunities America in that fact one On the top should not of Ireland. this, in underestimate to remain expected now, only daughter be an as she will that, knowing on marriage asecret she agrees locales in the novel” (190). novel” the in locales competing the to relation in negotiation cultural and growth “personal her trigger will journey her The means through which the author challenges established notionsabout established the authorchallenges which through The means 14 13 n a society of such strong traditional customs, her brother Jack does not hesitate to to not hesitate does Jack brother her customs, traditional strong of such n asociety ostello-Sullivan in fact reads the novel as a type of “diasporic Bildungsroman of “diasporic atype as novel the reads fact in ostello-Sullivan I C 97). Therefore, tracing the story the 97). of story Therefore,tracing 13 As Alex Witchel has explained, Witchel explained, has Alex As 32). novel, the In Eilis 181). 14 And fourthly, fourthly, And 103). 103). ” since ” since - -

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 181 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 182 (Tóibín, (Tóibín, streets” strange accents, people, strange strange with ordeal, now seemed an that life into “Shea face Ireland: would of her outside own confines the have to construct will 23),Tóibín, identity (Boss an he had Eilis he not did that think who once claimed community.the of theLike values transgressed andwhohas defied duty who has for a woman Ireland in no is there place for because good to America to back go forced eventually is Eilis diaspora. theaboutIrish written of much fiction previous ( of her “the farrow” old eats sow that (23).in Brooklyn portrayed is wayIreland The nationhood” and notions towards of community tradition, ambivalences own his of “a virtue position making in-between an in stands he fact in while intellectual, what you were” became (264). where youto finally explain, where you were born but you for place created the yourself,where you not did need Home (1990),Journey “Home that: not is place the learns when end reader at the the concept of stretched Dermot home Bolger’s echoes nicely this here that novel The ending of the novel speaks for itself: of novel the ending speaks to fitsitein a of new as so reinventing herself of hybrid opportunity identities. The have the she will time, same at the and, expectations communal duties and family from herself free United the her In homeland, she new States, of will self-awareness. journey enforced an be indeed will her back journey that presages ending moralistic (Tóibín, come back” it people Brooklyn If here, like they’ll high. have moneyall to spend. store. They manners and this low our keep prices We our [...]. We We same. person who the into comes single everyone treat welcome every or or Polish Irish or Jewish be coloured even could they and peopleNew arrive day... every changes “Brooklyn people nationality: by do their notthey discriminate that admits store Bartocy, where Miss her boss, her jobresume adepartmental in will and man Italian an married who has woman site welcoming Irish the for an Brooklyn (Tóibín, brave” the Georgina’s and of free “the the land nation as take description of this we can when Ireland, with comparison in and outside, from the seen from within been Received for Publication: September 27, 2013; Acceptance for Publication: March 24, 2014. 24, March 27, Publication: for September 2013; Publication: for Acceptance Received As Michael Böss has explained, Tóibín has often been labeled as a revisionist Tóibín arevisionist as labeled explained, been often has has Böss Michael As it, then closed her eyes and tried to imagine nothing more. (Tóibín, 252) nothing Brooklyn to imagine tried and her eyes closed it, then of thought at the smiled She more almost more to herself. and to come mean would and them who heard man to the less and less to come mean would words these when ahead, years the imagined Wexford, Eilis towards on way its Bridge Macmine past rolled train the say. to Brooklyn,” herwould as gone mother back “She has And, Brooklyn 232). has it end America at precisely the of novel, is And the after 49) at face value. Once seen as the Other, America is now is Other, the 49) America as Once seen value. at face Portrait Portrait 203) than with the Mother Ireland Mother the Ireland with 203) than shares more with the Joycean trope trope Joycean more the with shares 59). rather This Tóibín Sadlier Ryan Ward —— “The Writing Life by Colm Colm by Life Toibin.” —— “The Writing Murphy Travers Mulligan Joyce Ingman Morales Fernández Fegan Costello Colman Bracken Delaney Böss Bolger Berry Arrowsmith Estudios Past.” Estudios Tóibín’s the Colm with Belonging’: without Dialogue “‘Belonging , Michael. , Matthew. “Abstract Homes: Deterritorialisation and Reterritorialisation in the Work the in of Colm Reterritorialisation and Deterritorialisation Homes: “Abstract , Matthew. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man aYoung as Artist the of APortrait , James. , John. W.,, John. Ype Poortinga H. Exile, Emigration Exile, and Irish Writing, Patrick. Literature and the Irish Famine 1845-1919 Famine Irish the and Literature , Melissa. , Colm. Brooklyn , Colm. The Journey Home Journey The , Dermot. Twentieth-Century Fiction by Irish Women: Nation and Gender and Nation Women: Irish by Fiction Twentieth-Century , Heather. New York: Sadlier, 1861. York: New Sadlier, America. in Girl Irish the or, Conway; Bessy Ann. , Mary Chattel, Servant or Servant Citi Chattel, 1022-60.” Ireland, of Case The Gender: and “Emigration , Pauric. , Maureen. “The Fionnuala Factor: Irish Sibling Emigration at the Century.”at the of Turn Emigration Sibling Irish Factor: Fionnuala “The , Maureen. , Ann Elry. Dictionary of Elry. Irish Nineteenth-Century Women, Ann Poets , Eamon. “Colm Tóibín: “Colm Mr. James’s, Chronicler.” Eamon. Publishers Weekly , Claire. Review of Brooklyn Review , Claire. html www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/04/AR2009050402546. Tóibín.” Irish Studies Review P, 1997: Uof Massachusets 85-101. Massachusets: Valiulis. Gender and Sexuality in Modern Ireland Twenty Years.” Last of the Literature Historical Belfast: The Institute of Irish Studies, 1995. Studies, 187-199.Irish of Institute The Belfast: Society and State Church, in Women’s Status zen. shot, 2007.shot, Estudios Irlandeses 82-87. 4(2009): and Colm Tóibín’s Colm and Brooklyn. 1916[1968]. Penguin, shop, 1996.shop, Irlandeses 0(2005): 22-29. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2012. Peter Lang, Oxford: Sam Alderson. London: Routledge, 1999: 129-144. Routledge, London: Alderson. History, Gender, Space

Ladrón - , William H. “What We Know About the Irish in the United States: Reflections on the on Reflections States: United the in Irish the We About Know “What H. , William Sullivan , José Francisco. “Short Stories, Novels and Spain: An Interview with Colm Tóibín.” Colm with Interview An Spain: and Novels Stories, “Short Francisco. , José . Ireland in Proximity: Proximity: Identity.” in Gender, Ireland Diasporic Literature, “M/otherlands: , Aidan. >. Cross-Cultural Psychology: Research and Applications and Research Psychology: Cross-Cultural The Light of Evening O’Brien’sEvening of Light The Edna in Motherland the from “(M)Others , Marisol. Mother/Country: Politics of the Personal in the Fiction of Colm Tóibín. Colm of Fiction the in Personal the of Politics Mother/Country: , Kathleen. . London: Viking, Penguin, 2009. Penguin, Viking, . London: . Ed. Scott Brewster, Virginia Crossman, Fiona Becket and David David and Fiona Becket Crossman, Virginia Brewster, Scott . Ed. , Seger M. Breugelmans M. , Seger . London: Viking, 1990. Viking, . London: WORKS CITED WORKS . Estudios Irlandeses 16.1 (February 2008): 19-32. 2008): 16.1 (February Studi Irlandesi: A Journal of Irish Studies 3(2013): Studies 181-194 Irish of AJournal Irlandesi: ” Studi The Washington Post Post The Washington . Ed. Anthony Bradley and Maryann Gialanella Gialanella Maryann and Bradley Anthony . Ed. . Dublin: Irish Academic, 2002. Academic, Irish . Dublin: . Ed. Chester G. Anderson. New York: Viking York: New Viking Anderson. G. Chester . Ed. ABEI JournalABEI 10 (November 2008): 97-108. 5 (2009): 166-167. (2009): 5 . Ed. Mary O’Dowd and Sabine Wichert. Wichert. Sabine and O’Dowd Mary . Ed. . Oxford: Clarendon, 2002. 2002. Clarendon, . Oxford: (6 2009). 4 Feb 2014. May Web < , Atahanasios Chasiotis , Atahanasios . Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2002. Cambridge . Cambridge: . Galway: Kenny’s Book Kenny’s . Galway: 251.27 33. (5 2004): July . Ashgate: Alder . Ashgate: , and David L. L. David , and http:// - - - .

REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 183 REVISTA CANARIA DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES, 68; 2014, PP. 173-184 184 Wondrich Witchel Wiesenfarth tion.” Irish University Review tion.” 2009): 1-27. 2009): , Alex. “His Irish Diaspora.” The Diaspora.” Irish “His , Alex. , Roberta Gefter. “Exilic Returns: Self and History outside Ireland in Recent Irish Fic Irish Recent in Ireland outside History and Self Returns: “Exilic Gefter. , Roberta , Joseph. “An Interview with Colm Tóibín.” Colm with Literature Contemporary 50.1: “An , Joseph. Interview (Spring 30.1 (Spring-Summer 2000): 1-16. 2000): 30.1 (Spring-Summer (3 May 2009): 30-35. 2009): May (3 Magazine York Times New -