Farrington Facts
Farrington Loses what game at the pub.
The man who is the most prominent in the story.
Who is Farrington
This is Farrington’s monotonous job, which involves duplicating legal documents by hand.
copy clerk (or scrivener)
When Farrington’s "body ached to do something, to smash something or somebody," which cycle of behavior is he about to do.
What is the cycle of abuse?
Find a quote with repetition
"The bell rang. ... The bell rang again. ... The bell rang again, louder." Page 86
Farrington spends all day in his office doing this.
What is copying legal documents.
He is the boss of the main character
Who is Mr. Alleyne
Farrington’s "North of Ireland" boss, who constantly berates him for his slowness and inefficiency.
Mr. Alleyne
Farrington’s mental state at work is shown when he is described as “a man of robust body, who sat at the desk writing,” feeling bored and frustrated throughout the day. This reflects this theme.
What is frustration with work / dissatisfaction with life
Find a quote with imagery
"...the pinked face and the shimmering head of the manager." (page 87)
At the end his son Tom offers what to him to avoid punishment?
What is a prayer?
The man who beats the protagonist in arm wrestling twice.
Who is Weathers
To fund his night of drinking, Farrington pawns this personal item for six shillings
his watch
This theme is shown when Farrington’s son begs, “I’ll say a Hail Mary for you, pa, if you don’t beat me.”
What is the cycle of abuse / displaced anger?
Find a quote with a metaphor
"He felt a spasm of rage grip his throat..." (page 90)
What does Farrington fantisize about at work?
What is a rebellion.
The main character's son, who gets beaten.
Who is Tom
The name of the law firm where Farrington is employed.
What is Crosbie & Alleyne?
When Mr. Alleyne humiliates Farrington saying, “You are an inefficient clerk!”, it reveals this theme about authority and social hierarchy.
What is power and humiliation?
Find a quote with symbolism
"...leaving after it a premonition of thirst." (page 90)
What is the title of Farringtons job?
What is a Scrivener
The coworker who meets the protagonist at the pub.
Who is Higgins
This client’s presence in the office leads to Farrington's ill-fated "witty" retort and subsequent humiliation.
Madame Delacour
The line “His body ached to do something, to rush out and revel in violence.” highlights this major theme of frustration and being trapped in an unchanging life
What is paralysis / lack of control over one’s life
Find a quote with a simile
"The room was filled with the smoke... and the sounds of the glasses were like the clicking of many machines." (page 94)