Cal ( Bernard Maclavetry)

In Bernard Mac Laverty’s novel Cal, the author sheds light on the conflict in Northern Ireland through a nineteen year old Catholic named Cal. This ideological war has devastating and detrimental effects on all involved especially Cal. Cal is a victim of this war as he is thrown into it and expected to react. As this violent war is surrounding Cal, he is also facing another type of conflict: an internal one. This internal conflict is a result of Cal’s psychological well being and results in self loathing and grueling emotional torment. Cal’s guilt ridden conscience haunts him and causes grave psychological affliction. These two forces causes him to act in ways contrary to his own beliefs and desires, produces tragic and grave consequences, and causes him to be dissociated from reality.

Events occur in Cal’s life that impacts him in a harmful way. When Cal was only eight years old Cal his mother died. This single event has had a ripple effect that has changed Cal’s life. After this tragic event Cal’s personality changes and he suffers from Childhood Grief Disorder as well as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cal displays all the symptoms such as anxiety, depression, general relentlessness, emotional detachment, and most importantly dissociation. He isolates him self from reality including his father. Cal’s relationship with his father is strained and awkward. It is very close to being non existent. Cal lacks parental guidance as well as direction. Cal also suffers from Intrusion in which he has a lot of flashbacks of his mother. This weak minded individual is easily influenced by his friends and surroundings. These events allow Cal to be easily pressured and be part of the flock. Cal’s good friend Crilly has a lot of control of Cal’s life and makes decisions for him. Crilly influences Cal to participate in the Irish Republican Army and commit heinous crimes he really does not want to do. Cal is unable to stand up to Crilly and easily succumbs to his radical friend.

The hostile and violent environment of Northern Ireland plays a significant role in the psychological development of Cal. Being forced into a war zone environment causes Cal to react. Events such as; Bloody Sunday, unveils the injustice and deplorable circumstances of the times. Also such an event inspires many to forfeit lawfulness and order since: "The effect of violent dislike between groups has always created an indifference to the welfare and honor of the state” (Bloody Sunday). Cal is an innocent bystander who did not ask or seek to be involved in this war but is forced into it. Cal has no control of the daunting situation around him. It is a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. This weak and vulnerable adolescent is the perfect candidate to take up the cause and fight in the IRA. His harsh and unfortunate childhood elicits him to find a family in the IRA. He yearns for that feeling of acceptance and being cared for and he finds in the radical group he is in.

Cal’s tender and fragile mind evokes him to participate in the most heinous crime. His part in the murder of Robert Morton, a reserve police officer, has the most effect on him. This fateful incident debilitates and destroys Cal’s life. This event aggravates Cal’s inner conflict and prompts self loathing. Cal cannot help but feel guilty of this capital offense. His guilt eats away at his conscience and basically consumes him. This event triggers his inner turmoil and he can not forgive him self of this. Cal becomes a paranoid recluse. Cal constantly feels uneasy and detaches himself from society as well as reality. This sin causes him to feel “ugly”. When Cal states that he is as ugly as “Quasimodo” he is acknowledging the awful consequences it produces. His shame and guilt are so great that “he felt he had brand stamped in blood in the middle of his forehead which