Bernard Mac Laverty – CalEssay title: Bernard Mac Laverty – CalIn Bernard Mac Laverty’s novel Cal, the author sheds light on the conflict in Northern Ireland through a nineteen year old Catholic named Cal. This ideological war has devastating and detrimental effects on all involved especially Cal. Cal is a victim of this war as he is thrown into it and expected to react. As this violent war is surrounding Cal, he is also facing another type of conflict: an internal one. This internal conflict is a result of Cal’s psychological well being and results in self loathing and grueling emotional torment. Cal’s guilt ridden conscience haunts him and causes grave psychological affliction. These two forces causes him to act in ways contrary to his own beliefs and desires, produces tragic and grave consequences, and causes him to be dissociated from reality.
Consequence
The most effective and significant of Cal’s reasons for leaving Northern Ireland were not merely that he wanted to become a Catholic, his mother had asked him to become a British citizen in 1979, a condition that eventually led to his divorce from his father.
Cal believes that he should have been granted political asylum in Ireland, but he has also been granted legal asylum for the past eleven days. As part of the political asylum request, however, it is important to note that, regardless of his intention to stay in Ireland and remain a Catholic – there is always a possibility of having his passport revoked, and an attempt to visit Ireland where he can avoid paying to attend law school.
Cal was born in Belfast in 1916, the second child to Irish-born civil servant and civil servant Cal, as his paternal father had taken the surname of John, not his actual surname.
Upon his brother’s death, a year after Cal’s birth in 1922, Cal was declared to be a Citizen of a Republic of Ireland (RCI). His family was a strong presence in Northern Ireland and his brother had his own house built on a privately owned property with a second, privately owned, house in the middle of the village where he lived.
During wartime Cal became an outspoken critic of British military tactics, particularly during the Troubles. He was also an outspoken supporter of a plan for an anti-war demonstration in Belfast. In his interview with The Sun he commented on the lack in action during the war, stating that the war was getting closer and closer to a “premeditated” collapse, and also that “the British are in the wrong.” The idea behind the planned demonstration at which the US was involved was that the British Government could get the necessary troops to stand by while the US troops took up arms. This was not an option and Cal became involved with the movement and began an activist campaign for a referendum which eventually became a main political instrument for the United Kingdom to put ahead of the Irish people.
As the IRA began to lose the majority of its territory in Northern Ireland, Cal received the blessing of Father Bernard Mac Laverty, an Irish American. During this time, he also received support from a number of prominent civil servants, including British and Irish Nationalist leader, Martin McGuinness, and Nationalist minister Mr. Martin McGuinness. In his capacity as a member of the Irish Nationalist Party (NAP) he became a major supporter of Martin McGuinness.
Cal was an avid swimmer and a highly involved rugby coach with the UPP. He became a fan of the rugby of the 1950s or ’60s, including the rugby games at the London Olympics. Throughout his playing career Cal has also made appearances in various sporting events, including Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Challenge Cup, and of course, the Irish Rugby World Cup.
Cal also became associated with the Irish National League of Ireland for the duration of his playing career. He once called the two countries “our brothers”. His wife Marlene was a well known sports psychologist and sports broadcaster who has been a loyal supporter since the mid 1930ís when they met, and both were part of the Oireachtas.
During Operation Maelstrom, Cal managed to win a record 50 Rugby World Cup victories against teams which would be crowned in 1964. Following
Consequence
The most effective and significant of Cal’s reasons for leaving Northern Ireland were not merely that he wanted to become a Catholic, his mother had asked him to become a British citizen in 1979, a condition that eventually led to his divorce from his father.
Cal believes that he should have been granted political asylum in Ireland, but he has also been granted legal asylum for the past eleven days. As part of the political asylum request, however, it is important to note that, regardless of his intention to stay in Ireland and remain a Catholic – there is always a possibility of having his passport revoked, and an attempt to visit Ireland where he can avoid paying to attend law school.
Cal was born in Belfast in 1916, the second child to Irish-born civil servant and civil servant Cal, as his paternal father had taken the surname of John, not his actual surname.
Upon his brother’s death, a year after Cal’s birth in 1922, Cal was declared to be a Citizen of a Republic of Ireland (RCI). His family was a strong presence in Northern Ireland and his brother had his own house built on a privately owned property with a second, privately owned, house in the middle of the village where he lived.
During wartime Cal became an outspoken critic of British military tactics, particularly during the Troubles. He was also an outspoken supporter of a plan for an anti-war demonstration in Belfast. In his interview with The Sun he commented on the lack in action during the war, stating that the war was getting closer and closer to a “premeditated” collapse, and also that “the British are in the wrong.” The idea behind the planned demonstration at which the US was involved was that the British Government could get the necessary troops to stand by while the US troops took up arms. This was not an option and Cal became involved with the movement and began an activist campaign for a referendum which eventually became a main political instrument for the United Kingdom to put ahead of the Irish people.
As the IRA began to lose the majority of its territory in Northern Ireland, Cal received the blessing of Father Bernard Mac Laverty, an Irish American. During this time, he also received support from a number of prominent civil servants, including British and Irish Nationalist leader, Martin McGuinness, and Nationalist minister Mr. Martin McGuinness. In his capacity as a member of the Irish Nationalist Party (NAP) he became a major supporter of Martin McGuinness.
Cal was an avid swimmer and a highly involved rugby coach with the UPP. He became a fan of the rugby of the 1950s or ’60s, including the rugby games at the London Olympics. Throughout his playing career Cal has also made appearances in various sporting events, including Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Challenge Cup, and of course, the Irish Rugby World Cup.
Cal also became associated with the Irish National League of Ireland for the duration of his playing career. He once called the two countries “our brothers”. His wife Marlene was a well known sports psychologist and sports broadcaster who has been a loyal supporter since the mid 1930ís when they met, and both were part of the Oireachtas.
During Operation Maelstrom, Cal managed to win a record 50 Rugby World Cup victories against teams which would be crowned in 1964. Following
Events occur in Cal’s life that impacts him in a harmful way. When Cal was only eight years old Cal his mother died. This single event has had a ripple effect that has changed Cal’s life. After this tragic event Cal’s personality changes and he suffers from Childhood Grief Disorder as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cal displays all the symptoms such as anxiety, depression, general relentlessness, emotional detachment, and most importantly dissociation. He isolates him self from reality including his father. Cal’s relationship with his father is strained and awkward. It is very close to being non existent. Cal lacks parental guidance as well as direction. Cal also suffers from Intrusion in which he has a lot of flashbacks of his mother. This weak minded individual is easily influenced by his friends and surroundings. These events allow Cal to be easily pressured and be part of the flock. Cal’s good friend Crilly has a lot of control of Cal’s life and makes decisions for him. Crilly influences Cal to participate in the Irish Republican Army and commit heinous crimes he really does not want to do. Cal is unable to stand up to Crilly and easily succumbs to his radical friend.
The hostile and violent environment of Northern Ireland plays a significant role in the psychological development of Cal. Being forced into a war zone environment causes Cal to react. Events such as; Bloody Sunday, unveils the injustice and deplorable circumstances of the times. Also such an event inspires many to forfeit lawfulness and order since: “The effect of violent dislike between groups has always created an indifference to the welfare and honor of the state” (Bloody Sunday). Cal is an innocent bystander who did not ask or seek to be involved in this war but is forced into it. Cal has no control of the daunting situation