This low level vandalism and tormenting of older residents in the street continue throughout the novel, along with stories of shoplifting and other mischief. It is all done with a childish innocence typical of boys this age. He is a ten-year-old Dubliner who has to grow up faster than he has ever wanted. This is because of Doyle’s use of narrative devices such as long sentences and stream of consciousness. “we” and “our” show that Paddy is a part of a group. The mere fact that he doesn’t have a father anymore is enough for former friends to start bullying. Perhaps Paddy senses that he has a responsibility for his family, and that his loyalty to them can make him the young man he craves to be. Our team of exam survivors will get you started and keep you going. Though he is the only breadwinner in the family, he leaves his wife and children. The simile “It went like a dragon” shows how quickly his lips are set on fire. He begins to see that his abuse of Sinbad is cruel and sometimes disturbing. After Mr Clarke hits his wife, Paddy becomes even more protective and caring towards her, "I waited, listened; she was safe downstairs.”. Though Patrick can be cruel to Sinbad, he doesn’t really want to hurt him. Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha study guide contains a biography of Roddy Doyle, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Early in the novel we hear that Paddy and his gang “were always lighting fires”. Even though he describes events in the past tense, he still seems excited and thrilled by his "naughty" behaviour. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. He not only abuses his wife but also mistreats his children. She almost never allows herself to snap. It is written from the point of view of a young boy, Paddy (Patrick) Clarke. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle. Doyle reminds us of the importance of adults in children’s lives. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 GradeSaver LLC. We see his love of facts in the way he peppers his narration with little pieces of information - whether they are relevant to what he is saying or not. He finds the news “boring but sometimes I watched it properly, all of it”. statement that his mother “killed me” when she found out, there were significant risks to people and property from such activities. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is a novel by Roddy Doyle. Paddy also shows little care for consequences when he and his friends ignite lighter fluid in poor Sinbad’s mouth. Paddy cannot resist being a "messer". They start boycotting the boy as soon as they learn the news about Patrick’s father. Read the Study Guide for Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha…, Doyle's Manipulation of Language to Create Paddy's Voice: the Grand National Race, View Wikipedia Entries for Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha…. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. Aside from his. Sinbad is Paddy’s younger brother. The next sentence immediately introduces the mischievous nature of the boys in that group as “Kevin stopped at a gate and bashed it with his stick.” We find out that the gate belongs to a woman in their street. Paddy imagines running away and taking his brother with him. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. James O’Keefe, Liam, Aidan, and Kevin are classmates of Patrick and his ex-friends. He becomes “the man of the house” after his father leaves the family. For example, when we see him shoplifting he is promptly caught by his mother, which results in a beating from his father. It is poignant that this is the reason he does so well in school - but it also shows the reader that he is a very able boy when he puts his mind to it. The many comedic scenes of mischief throughout the novel show a dangerous recklessness that the boys are often lucky to survive unscathed. He comes from a close supportive family, but is part of a gang of boys who are mischievous and rarely consider the consequences of their actions. His reading on saints and history often informs the games he makes up with his friends, and he discusses these things quite knowledgeably with his father. this section. will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback. Poignantly, by the conclusion of the novel Paddy’s father has left and Paddy really is “the man of the house now”. He is the victim of an uninspiring education as we see from his interactions with Mr Hennessey. An editor You can help us out by revising, improving and updating The Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and … Just like Paddy says, he can be really mean for no reason. The main characters are Paddy, his brother Sinbad and his parents. A page later we discover that Paddy and his friends are on their way home from a building site where they have stolen “a load of six-inch nails and a few bits of plank” as well as “pushing bricks into a trench full of wet cement”. The mother is a pacifier in the family. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is a novel by Roddy Doyle. Paddy also shows little care for consequences when he and his friends ignite lighter fluid in poor Sinbad’s mouth. Paddy seems to learn more at home or by himself. There is a deep sadness in Paddy’s sense of helplessness over his parents’ separation, "I couldn’t stop it from starting". She does her best to protect the children from their father’s anger which often results in a beating. Therefore our first impression of the narrator - Paddy - is of a troublemaker who annoys his neighbours. Children study every move made by their elders. This suggests that Paddy may not be much older in years than when the novel started, but that circumstances have made him grow up and leave childish things behind. The opening paragraph of the novel contains the sentence “We were coming down our road.” The. Therefore most of the tales create humour - but we can still sympathise with the victims of Paddy’s pranks. Despite his often troublesome nature Paddy is an intelligent boy, literate and deeply fond of historical heroes. He is often prone to violence and bullying. Tellingly, when Paddy applies himself to his work - as an excuse to stay up so that his parents won’t argue - he quickly becomes top of the class. The. Wolf, Julia . GradeSaver, 21 February 2019 Web. He discusses what is happening in America and Israel, showing his interest in global affairs. Patrick (Paddy) Clarke is the protagonist of the story. He gradually becomes aware that his childhood is over and he is entering early adulthood. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is a novel by Roddy Doyle. He often describes his parents’ movements and actions in minute detail. They were only kids.”. Paddy is a ten year old boy who - like many boys his age - is reckless and full of energy. When the other boys tease him - just as he has teased children in the past - he “didn’t listen to them. After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. The father is the antagonist of the story. Early in the novel we hear that Paddy and his gang “were always lighting fires”. The Question and Answer section for Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha is a great There are some days when Patrick protects the little boy from their father’s wrath. Read about our approach to external linking. Aside from his hyperbolic statement that his mother “killed me” when she found out, there were significant risks to people and property from such activities. As the narrative develops, we are made aware of how sensitively Paddy feels his parents’ marriage problems. "Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha Characters". Not affiliated with Harvard College. Paddy sees adults fighting wars on TV and fighting each other in real life. “It went like a dragon” shows how quickly his lips are set on fire. When he is learning something constructive he stays out of trouble. The opening paragraph of the novel contains the sentence “We were coming down our road.” The inclusive pronouns “we” and “our” show that Paddy is a part of a group. Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). He pictures himself as the hero, "carrying my little brother on my back when he was too tired". The main characters are Paddy, his brother Sinbad and his parents. Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha essays are academic essays for citation.