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Sharky In Stephen Mcpherson's 'The Seafarer' By Conor Mcpherson

Good Essays

In our daily lives, we face various pressures that can ultimately result in bad decision-making, and poor judgement. However, it is not these pressures that prevent us from becoming a better version of ourselves, but our denial to acknowledge and learn from the trial that prevents our change. In “The Seafarer”, Conor McPherson illustrates this idea through the character of Sharky. The Irish play, set in a coastal town in northern Dublin, revolves around the main character, "Sharky" who moves back to Dublin in order to help his blind brother, Richard. Through characterization, McPherson shows that salvation is possible for people like Sharky because the main character has the potential to change and to become a better version of himself. It is shown through acceptance of responsibility, change and bettering his relationship with Nicky.
Firstly, Sharky’s acceptance of responsibility reunited him with his brother. When Sharky and Ivan chat in the living room, we learn that the main character has recently returned from County Clare to his home town, he says: “But I had to get back up because . . . (signals “Richard”)” (McPherson 14). Here, McPherson demonstrates that the main reason of Sharky’s return to Dublin is because of his brother who has recently gone blind. The act of taking care of someone demonstrates a sense of responsibility and love towards that individual. In contrast, when Sharky argues with Richard in the living room, in front of everyone, he says: “Did you want

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