Last Hurrah
Edwin O'Connor's novel The Last Hurrah presents an effective view of the difficult and complex life of the Irish-American community in Boston of the 1950's. The author uses a number of characterizations to produce themes that relate to the political and social considerations of this era. He also provides most of the accounts in his novel from a single perspective, that of Frank Skeffington. He is the main character. This character in particular enables O'Connor to present the topic with some accuracy while continuing to create a fictional account of the time frame. This was his goal, to provide truth inside a fictional story. O'Connor talks directly about and gives great consideration in the system of criminal activity. He feels it directly corresponds with the political structure in the community. The author develops his novel around Skeffington, but also around the characterization of James Michael Curley, the forceful and corrupt political force in the community in Boston. These two characters seem to be greatly different, but they also have some likeness to each other. This novel portrays the complexity of the corruption within this community and the political structure. He also demonstrates the support for this type of in
The connection between Skeffington and his nephew Adam is also a area that allows the author to produce comparison as well as produce irony. Their relationship represents a commonalty in the Irish community, as well as the interconnectedness within many ethnic families. Adam not only becomes and essential part of Skeffington's political process, but also often appears to represent his kinder side. Perhaps the comparison shows Skeffington's persona as a young man, before so many outside and corrupt influences became associated to his self-identity. It shows how much politics have changed him over the years. Skeffington looks to Adam as a means to keep hold of family connections while also reminding himself of who he was and who he is. O'Connor's book is powerful because of its complexity of levels. There is a defined consideration for the plot and characterizations, but O'Connor does not stop at this. He also creates complex characters that promote an understanding of the political and social structures of the day, while also addressing corruption in the Irish-American community in Boston in the 1950s. It is also important to note that O'Connor develops his characters within a historical perspective, because it is necessary for his characters to understand the significance of the past in order to avoid the same mistakes in the future. One important theme that is developed through the characterization of Skeffington is the great importance he has of the historical perspective on the current life of the Irish immigrant community. While O'Connor uses this character to present a dignified representation of Irish immigrant politics, it is also clear that Skeffington serves as a contrast to Curley. Curley de
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Approximate Word count = 1163
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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