The Fur Coat by Sean O'Faolain

Summary

Characters:

• Molly Maguire: A housewife raising her children while her husband Paddy is often absent due to his involvement in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Once worked in her father's shop and dresses plainly.
• Paddy Maguire: Recently promoted to Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Roads and Railways. Generous and practical.

Plot:

• Molly feels overwhelmed by her daily life, mending clothes and managing her household.
• Paddy's promotion offers the family a chance at a better social standing.
• Molly expresses a desire for a fur coat, symbolising wealth and status. She believes it will help her fit in with Paddy's new professional circles.
• They argue about the practicality of the coat versus Molly's yearning for an easier and more glamorous life.
• In the end, Molly decides against buying the coat, symbolising her inner conflict and reconciliation with her life.

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Title

• Literal Meaning: A fur coat made from animal fur.
• Symbolic Meaning: Represents success, class, and Molly's longing for a better, easier life. Also practical for warmth.

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Themes

Desire:

• Molly strongly desires a fur coat, associating it with success and status.

Social Class and Hardship:

• The Maguires rise in status after Paddy's promotion, but Molly struggles to adjust to this change.
• She feels insecure about attending events with wealthy women.

Love and Generosity:

• Paddy's willingness to buy the coat reflects his love and generosity towards Molly.

Appearance vs. Reality:

• Molly compares herself to wives of higher social status, believing that material possessions like the coat will bring happiness.

Selfishness:

• Molly's fixation on the fur coat creates tension in her marriage.

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How the Story is Told

Setting:

• Set in Ireland, primarily in the Maguire household, with mentions of Limerick and Kerry.

Structure:

• Exposition: Paddy's promotion and Molly's desire for a fur coat.
• Rising Action: Molly defends her reasons for wanting the coat, causing tension.
• Climax: Molly accuses Paddy of misunderstanding her feelings, leading to an emotional outburst.
• Resolution: Molly decides against buying the coat and apologises to Paddy.

Narrative Style:

• Third-person narration with a humorous tone.

Style:

• Colloquial language with moments of humour, adding realism.

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Characterisation

Molly Maguire:

• Selfish: Focuses on her desire for the coat.
• Insecure: Feels inferior to wealthier women.
• Naïve: Believes the coat will solve her problems.
• Stubborn: Argues with Paddy despite his support.

Paddy Maguire:

• Generous: Wants to provide for Molly.
• Practical: Sees the coat as unnecessary.
• Loving: Patient with Molly's outbursts.

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Language and Style

Diction:

• Everyday language makes the story relatable.

Figurative Language:

• Similes: "As if she were throwing sacks of turf." (p.76)
• Metaphors: "Her diamond-bright eyes." (p.74)
• Irony: Molly criticises Paddy for being "mean," yet she behaves selfishly.

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Tone and Mood

Tone:

• Shifts between light-hearted humour and angry dissatisfaction.

Mood:

• Tense and humorous, reflecting Molly's internal conflict.

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Key Exam Points

• Focus on how the fur coat symbolises Molly's inner conflict and aspirations.
• Discuss the themes of class and gender roles in the context of Ireland.
• Analyse the use of humour to lighten serious moments.
• Highlight Molly and Paddy's contrasting traits to show their relationship dynamics.