Discuss Paddy’s Parents’ Relationship

During the novel Paddy's parents relationship is not openly discussed and most of what we can glean from the book about them comes from how their behaviour affects Paddy.
At the beginning of the novel particularly, the relationship is barely represented at all as Paddy's world mainly revolves around his thirst for knowledge, school life and friends. The relationship is then represented as its apparent problems impinge on Paddy's daily routine.
One way this revealed problems in the marriage was when Mrs Clarke failed to make breakfast one morning and Mr Clarke had to take over. Mr Clarke said this was because Mrs Clarke was ill, however, recurring arguments and Mrs Clarke's quietness suggested there were problems from the relationship and that was why she was in bed. Paddy finds it hard to understand why his parents argue and there are no explanations to why they are fighting. The relationship is presented in
Paddy's basic and challenging thoughts. One example of this is how Paddy describes his parents in the search to find relief in their fighting, "she was lovely, he was nice".
Another occasion that demonstrates the parents’ relationship is on the trip to Dollymount where the day is ruined by another argument which results in Paddy's Ma getting out of the car in the rain. Her desire for space in this incident could explain the desire for a separation and how the relationship was failing, to the extent where it could not be hidden from the children. The relationship also represented in what Paddy overhears from the arguments at night time. Listening to noises and words, the relationship is presented as in turmoil and near breakage in the night time however, during the day pleasantries are swapped (although at an increasingly forced level) in front of Sinbad and Paddy. This consideration of the children shows that although Mr and
Mrs Clarke had problems they still loved their children enough to try to protect them from their own problems.
This could suggest that the parents still loved each other despite their differences.
The differences between Mr and Mrs Clarke in the novel suggest how their relationship worked. Mr Clarke appears to be the more dominant and aggressive partner who had taken to drinking more. Paddy shows hatred towards the thing that can make his Da more angry, such as his interest in the news and politics by blaming them for the breakdown of his parents relationship
"newspapers were bastards". However, Mrs Clarke appeared to be meeker, a more devout Christian and more aware of how the neighbours would take interest in anyone's problems such as everyone knowing about
Aidan and Liam having a "dead Ma". These opposites could suggest why cracks were beginning to show , however it is not pinned down to one factor by Paddy.
Another way the failing relationship is presented in the novel is how other people begin to notice. One example of this is how Paddy begins to receive special treatment from the teachers much like Liam and Aidan do in class, such as when Henno takes him out when he is asleep and does not scold him.
Finally the way the parents deal with the final breakdown of the marriage and the separation, presents the status of the relationship. The way Paddy greets his father formally with a handshake, demonstrates how time apart has made Paddy less comfortable with his father. However, it also demonstrates how Mrs Clarke may have still taught
Paddy to respect his father and this could mean she still loves him. The fact that the children stayed with Ma and
Da had to move out could have been for several reasons and can be interpreted in different ways because of the way Doyle has written the book with no blame for each particular party. However, the way that Paddy's Da is allowed back to visit may suggest that the parents still love the children at least enough to be able to face each other may suggest hope for the future. However, the fact that Paddy's Da moved out and they are now separated in the environment of 1960's Ireland suggests the problems in the home must have been bad. This is because during the time the novel is set there would have been a lot of controversy is a breakdown of a marriage and divorces were almost impossible to get so the separation might be the ultimate and final end to the parents' relationship.