Katie Sterling answers “Based on the last paragraph of the novel,...”

Sarah asked this question about Brooklyn (Eilis Lacey, #1):

Based on the last paragraph of the novel, do you think Eilis happily returned to Tony and she realized she made the right decision? I am trying to make peace with the ending. "She has gone back to Brooklyn...these words would come to mean less and less to the man who heard them and would come to mean more and more to herself."

Katie Sterling Obviously, the book was not simply about Eilis choosing between two men. It was about her choosing between her independence in America (and who she gr…moreObviously, the book was not simply about Eilis choosing between two men. It was about her choosing between her independence in America (and who she grew to be) vs. the familiarity of returning home (and essentially living Rose's life). I never thought Eilis loved Jim. I believe her relationship with Jim was a guilt ridden Eilis trying to stay close to her grieving mother and the ghost of her sister.

When she returns to Ireland, suddenly things not available to her before she left become available because everyone starts looking at her differently. All that makes her question whether she should go back because life now feels easy. However, the fact remains that she outgrew Enniscorthy. Miss Kelly's comment did not spark Eilis' sense of obligation to her marriage, only to begrudgingly return to Tony, instead it reminded her what life in small town Ireland would mean. Her return to Brooklyn was the first decision she truly made for herself. Her leaving and going back to Tony read as a happy ending for me.

Concerning the men, Jim was too conservative - Tony brought out something in Eilis that Jim never did. Eilis fancied Tony's humour and excitability. Eilis' taciturn Irishness complemented Tony's extroverted Italian nature. They worked brilliantly together, with Tony I read unwavering admiration rather than pushiness. Sure he was implusive, but I think Tony knew Eilis better than he's given credit for. He was loving and reliable, though no intellectual, he had big dreams for his family. (5 plots of land in Long Island?? Hello, great investment!)

I also don't think Tony would have been oblivious upon her return to Brooklyn. He obviously knew she was struggling with something while she was there as she was not returning his letters. She was always forthcoming with him when they were together. I think he was aware that she was deciding whether or not to return to him and would gladly accept her back with open arms.

The book and the movie ended quite differently, however Tóibín himself said his favourite scene in the movie was the one he didn't write ... the ending. This also leads me to believe that the last paragraph did mean that she made the right decision returning to Brooklyn.

Nora Webster, another one of Tóibín's, also briefly mentions 'Eily's children' and Tony, so it seems it worked out. (less)

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Lizp “Eilis' taciturn Irishness complemented Tony's extroverted Italian nature.” Agreed.

Kate, I too remember that bit about Eily’s kids from Nora Webster, ...more
Feb 05, 2020 03:09PM · flag

Jaysha Jaeann I couldn’t agree more!
Apr 08, 2020 11:07PM · flag

Sara Your comment "Hello, great investment!" had me giggling. Loved your take. ...more
Mar 11, 2025 07:25PM · flag

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