Oisin Wyley’s Study of the Various Aspects and Characteristics of Roddy Doyle and His Execution of These Through Writing Prowess

Characters of Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle, as the author of the Barrytown trilogy, produced a vast network of characters that spread across all ages. One thing remained clear, however, they were all of one social class. When creating his characters, Roddy Doyle formed people that would best suit the interests of his targeted reader; as to better relate to that person and therefore better convey the message which he wished to express. One thing can be guaranteed of a Roddy Doyle character: they are no different than anyone else that you might find in your local bar, neighborhood, or factory, they are all the same as any one of us.

Throughout the three novels which I read the characters seems to maintain a fairly common purpose and feel. Seeing as this is a trilogy, many of the characters from the first novel continue on the feature in the second novel, and the same can be said of the third. However, all three books have a different main group of characters as well as a different mission for them to portray. Seeing as their author is Roddy Doyle, however, the message throughout all three novels is the same: hope. That aside the first main character in the trilogy is from the first book: The Commitments. Jimmy Jr. sets out to start his own band and therefore the novel’s main focus is on him and his tribulations in the process of trying to make it a success. Jimmy Jr.’s character is more of a “nitty gritty” type, portraying an everyday young adult from Dublin, Ireland. His lack of care for the way he speaks as well as his manners around the men is typical of any twenty something in this world. In front of the ladies, on the other hand, he remains cool and collected; a suave aspiring man who is there to please. He is a man of desperation, however, desperate for a new tune to be brought to Dublin: Soul. He works to succeed but at the same time bring something to get excited about to his hometown people. The main character for the next novel in the trilogy, The Snapper, was Jimmy Jr.’s father: Jimmy Sr. Jimmy Sr. is very much like his son: dirty, rude, likes to swear and likes his beer. He does not, however, have the flirtation prowess of his son, but he doesn’t need to have it as he is already married to his wife, Veronica. Jimmy is often clueless of everything happening around him and he therefore tends to anger his easily irritable wife. Going along with his oblivious nature, Jimmy tends to fix things with money or favors, thinking that all is fixed with a simple five pence or choc-ice bar. In The Snapper Jimmy is given a desperately needed second chance at being a better father and therefore takes advantage of it by attempting to be more in tune with the world around him. It does not work to much affect. His methods of attaining forgiveness prove problematic in the third and final novel of the trilogy, The Van. When Jimmy Sr. loses his job his entire world is turned upside down. The one stable thing in his life has been taken away and therefore he has a void which he must fill. His friend Bimbo, the main character of this novel, is yet another man desperate for a chance to live with dignity. His character is similar to Jimmy Sr.’s; a little more sensible but rough around the edges nonetheless. All three of the main characters are extremely similar variations of one another. They all lie around one single purpose: to fully relate to an intended audience. Jimmy Jr. is a man of the younger generation, hip and suave he would be well liked by many under the age of 30 and also experiences many of the troubles of his fellow peers in reality. Jimmy Sr. is the working family man, relating any man who is the head of his family. Bimbo represents those who have ever lost their job and must struggle to support those they love. His work ethic and love for his family are what drive him, as well as many others in his position in the real world. One similar characteristic remains between all three main characters, however, their down to earth commonplace manliness which attributes to their vulgar language and rudeness. These men are Roddy Doyle’s attempt to create characters that portray the everyday Irish commoner.

Roddy Doyle’s tactic for introducing characters isn’t necessarily to prepare the reader for them,       developing the person up to a moment where he or she is finally introduced as their true selves,      rather he provides no introduction at all, simply allowing them to intrude on the character base already set up and hoping that the reader may follow along for the ride. Rarely will Roddy Doyle make any mention of a character prior to his or her entrance into the storyline. With this one is forced to assume, from the dialogue produced, who is who and to what purpose do they serve. At the beginning of each new novel the same applies, all characters just begin talking and you must figure out for yourself what is going on. Although his tactic is not common, it works quite well to fit along with the overall feel of the books, allowing you to better immerse yourself into what is happening.
Roddy Doyle’s ability to create characters which can be mistaken for the guy down at the bar allow for his novels to truly engross the reader into their scenes. His characters are true portrayals of the commoners of Dublin, and they were exactly who he was trying to appeal to.