Blood
In this Critical Essay, I am studying a short story by Keith Aitchison called "Blood". It is set in the present day in both Glasgow, in Scotland and Belfast, in Northern Ireland. There are two different journeys, the first is a Literal journey because it is set in Glasgow and Belfast and the second a Metaphorical journey because Martin is learning and discovering as he travels and grows. I will look at how the characters change in different settings, such as Glasgow and Belfast, what the theme is thoughout the short story and the structure of the short story, ways in which the story is set out (long, short sentences etc.) These are some of the characters in the story. The story opens up with Martin O'Brien a nineteen year old Catholic boy living in Glasgow, Scotland also he is curious to learn about his grandfather but his mother won't say anything on the subject. He lives with his mother, Mary O'Brien, Mary isn't a main important character in the story so not much is known about her. Martin's Uncle and Mary's brother, Timothy (Tim) just arriving in Glasgow because he has come over to visit them for a short time. Tim is a liar because later on he tells Martin he is a membe
When the writer uses speech, it is in short structured sentences. I would definitely recommend this short story if you have the same feeling towards long sentences and paragraphs as me because it will keep you entertained. Michael didn't like the fact he was from Glasgow. Martin is taken back by this in amazement but he is even more shocked when Tim says he is a member himself. I find that in the opening, Martin isn't quite sure on what to think of his Uncle with his sarcastic attitude since it has been a number of years since they have seen each other. I think Martin is angry at the comment his Uncle has made, unknown to his Uncle and Martin says a strong powerful "I'm nineteen" to come back. He decides to ask his Uncle Tim and he isn't sure what to say at first but he says it is Martins right to know about him and so he tells him the details. I think Martin is both angry he is a member, because of the things they do but also he is glad, in a curious way because he is interested to find out information on them and his family members. Tim apologises to Michael for taking credit of their work and power. "I've the greatest respect for you, and I pay my contributions with the best, but I'd never claim your glory for myself! No, never!" To conclude I enjoyed reading this short story for the reasons of, it kept me interested and fixed to it to find out what would happen next and there weren't too many characters to think about and keep track of. I think this is better because there is a lot of speech to make you feel like you are there next to the characters listening to their conversation. Martin is curious about his Grandfather and what he has to do with the IRA but his mother will not tell him anything about it. "And this hulking giant cannot be young Martin?" To follow this, I think Martin in return gave a sarcastic reply to his Uncle Tim, as if to treat him like an adult and not a child. "Your grandfather, my father, Sean Maguire, fought and died for Ireland" "Sure, am I not one of the boys myself?"Martin goes over to Belfast a short time after his Uncle went home to visit him, when he runs into trouble in a pub because an Irish IRA man and his associates called Michael.
Common topics in this essay:
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Keith Aitchison,
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IRA Martin,
Glasgow Belfast,
Sean Maguire,
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martin angry,
short sentences,
keith aitchison,
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sentences paragraphs,
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glasgow belfast,
i'm nineteen,
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