Belfast = Characters

Question 1

Buddy =

Answer 1

• We experience everything through Buddy’s naive point of view which gives the film a dreamlike and nostalgic tone which intesifies the confusion he feels in a violent world
• He does not understand the religious divide and violence
• Buddy represents the youth who are shaped by conflict
• It is a semi-autobiographical peice of Branagh’s younger self

Question 2

Ma =

Answer 2

• Ma is loving and protective who shoulders the emotional burden of dealing with the troubles protecting her children
• She is reluctant to leave her children’s roots but it has quickly become too dangerous for her to stay
• She represents the invisible labour of women in crisis
• ## Ma attempts to keep life normal and safe

Question 3

Pa =

Answer 3

• Pa’s absense highlights the strain of economic migration and a moral compass
• He is calm and refuses violence yet protects his family when needed
• He balances the struggle of his work with the survival of his family

Question 4

Billy Clanton =

Answer 4

• Billy represents the toxic influence of sectarian extremism and how it can destroy the community
• Political pressure is applied by neighbours and friends which force the community to pick a side
• Billy is a danger of extremism within familiar spaces who has turned dangerous by his ideology

Question 5

Granny =

Answer 5

• Granny acts a bridge between generations embodies the history and culture. She offers support to the family admist the tension