Trojan Sofa

Question 1

“I’m not scared - just have some what-if knots in my gut. What if they have a dog. Or a burglar alarm - with laser beams like they have in the movies.”

Answer 1

Shows that he is actually afraid of the position he is putting himself in.

Niall has a childish imagination - shows that there may still be hope that he will get to be a child/innocent.

Question 2

“My Da sells anything and everything.”

Answer 2

Niall lacks focus and is easily distracted.

Question 3

“And that’d be my Da clued in.”

Answer 3

• acceptance of his dad’s crimes
• naive to what his dad is doing

Question 4

“I know there’ll not be much turning around in the foreseeable future.”

Answer 4

the child is trapped in the conflict which shows no ending in the near future.

Question 5

“I got the highest marks of anybody in Northern Ireland. Smart boy.”

Answer 5

Suggests that even the intelligent can not break free from the vicious cycle of violence, hatred etc.

Question 6

“He has very strong opinions, has my Da. A war is two sides, one against the other, he says. It’s as simple as that. The wrong done to this country was so great that we can do anything in retaliation. If it’s done against the Brits, it’s O.K. by him.”

Answer 6

Niall trusts everything his dad says and doesn’t challenge his views/authority.

Niall isn’t prepared to understand the complexities of war, and is only focused on the divisive element of war.

To seek his Da’s approval, he must share the same views as him.

“The wrong done to this country was so great that we can do anything in retaliation.” - emphasising that he really does believe that the Protestants deserve anything they get - there is no limitation to the pain/suffering he feels should be inflicted upon them.

Question 7

” I Stanley-knife my way out and open the door. My Da and Uncle Eamon are sitting there in the van smiling.”

Answer 7

juxaposition - they are happy that he is following in their path

Question 8

“And it’s one up for old Ireland.”

Answer 8

• sadly he already sees it as just a game
• he is not thinking for himself but is doing his dad’s bidding

Question 9

“I’d never force anybody to do something like this-never mind one of my own. But I must say it is for Ireland.”

Answer 9

• convinced his son that he is doing it for his own good and would never make him do anything he didn’t want to do
• he clearly doesn’t have a choice as he doesn’t want to upset his dad.

Question 10

“And went on and on and on.”

Answer 10

repetition - bored of monotony of the situation

suggests no time of stopping

Question 11

“stop the exercising” “the penny drops”

Answer 11

• naive/innocence
• suggests his dad is corrupting him/sacrificing his childhood in the process

Question 12

“The news is the usual boring stuff.”

Answer 12

disinterested on what is happening currently

Question 13

“Boohoo. Lend me a hankie.”

Answer 13

lacks empathy or pity for others

is so used to this cruelty and violence that it is no longer a suprise or new to him

Question 14

“he’ll be one of ours.”

Answer 14

divisive casualities on both sides - only ones that are relevant are those with the same views

Question 15

“This must have been what it was like ‘durin the war’. All the old ones at the stalls talk about ‘durin the war’. They never stop.”

Answer 15

reflects on the war

Question 16

“And I think of myself as a mouse.”

Answer 16

metaphorically suggests his insignificance/vulnerability.

Question 17

“It was funny being in a house with Union Jacks and pictures of the Queen on the walls. Really spooky.”

Answer 17

suggests unease/fear he might be caught/killed

Question 18

“I lie thinking about her for a while.”

Answer 18

he misses his mother

Question 19

“I don’t have very many friends.” “They’re so stupid playing.”

Answer 19

lost his childhood and is forced into adulthood prematurely - his father uses him as he can fit inside the sofa.

isolated/lonely

Question 20

“The smell of the dust inside the sofa for some reason makes me feel sad.”

Answer 20

symbolism - thinking about the past/what life used to be like

suggests no nurturing/protective person inhis life so he has been brough up in a male dominated household.

Question 21

“I see myself dreaming in the darkness and then I wake up in the darkness.”

Answer 21

symbolic of the political situation

the child’s growing up understanding the true nature of conflict and that it cannot easily be overcome

Question 22

“You’re a bit young for this game.”

Answer 22

not mature enough to make his own decisions, it is obvious that someone has made him do this.

Question 23

“Who put you up to this?”

Answer 23

symbolic - feels trapped in his own life

Question 24

“I haven’t a clue what to do. I’ve never been caught before. The only advice ever heard was my Da’s. ‘Whatever you say, say nothing’ But he was talking about guys getting interrogated in Castereagh. Guys getting tortured.”

Answer 24

shows the damaging nature of their relationship.

only person Niall looks to for advice or direction

Question 25

“I turn on the tap and wash my hands. It’s that soap with the wee label that never goes away. Imperial Leather. The last thing to go is the wee label.”

Answer 25

• problems in Northern Ireland have no hope of ending
• people are judged solely on their beliefs/identity