Brooklyn is not a novel about migration; it is about self-identity. Discuss.

Colm Toibin’s Brooklyn explores the ideas and difficulties of the theme ‘self-identity’ through many
factors. The theme ‘migration’ is also a large aspect of the novel. Throughout the novel we
experience Eilis’ transformation of identity. Migration plays a role in Eilis’ maturity. We can also see
the influences of Eilis’ relationships with different characters. The novel explores the effects of
influential people through many different characters. The expectations and responsibilities placed
upon Eilis as a young woman are evidently significant in Eilis’ growth as a person. Toibin uses other
primary and secondary characters to interpret ‘self-identity’ and illustrate different ideas.

Migration to a thriving and fast moving city resulted in the first step of Eilis’ transformation of identity.
Eilis’ boat journey is symbolic of Eilis’ independence from the claustrophobic environment of
Enniscorthy. “You are about to enter the land of the free and the brave…” Toibin used the ‘sick
scene’ to foreshadow Eilis’ grief when she first settles in Brooklyn and is deeply homesick. Georgina
acted somewhat as a mentor, replacing Rose in her sisterly duties. “Georgina she thought, would
know what to do…” By juxtaposing Eilis with a strong-minded character like Georgina, the reader
can see Eilis’ unawareness. Toibin also uses Georgina to suggest what Eilis may become, she
symbolising the transition from quiet slow Enniscorthy to busy upbeat New York. Throughout the
novel, we see other symbols of migration, such as Mr Rosenblum, who migrated to America in the
aftermath of the Holocaust. “The Germans killed everyone belonging to him”. Mr Rosenblum is
somewhat similar to Eilis, she was in a way forced to move to America, while he was forced to leave
his home. Mr Rosenblum is another symbol of Eilis’ homesickness and isolation. Brooklyn itself is
an icon of migration. “Brooklyn changes every day… New people arrive and they could be Jewish or
Irish or Polish or even coloured”. Toibin has chosen this specific borough of New York because of
its multi-cultural atmosphere. Migration acts as a significant theme in the novel and significantly
overlaps with the theme ‘self-identity’.

The relationships that Eilis has with different characters influence her thoughts, expectations,
opinions and values. Her relationship with Tony helped her in many ways to overcome her
homesickness and gave her insight, pulling her out of the sheltered mindset she was acquainted to.
Their connection acted as a psychological shift for Eilis as her love for him helped her let Brooklyn
become her home. We can see evidence of this in the baseball scene as Eilis begins to adapt to
American culture. “She wanted to be as much a part of everything as she could”. The sense of
belonging that developed as their relationship escalated helped her transform. Despite the fact that
Rose was not present in many of the scenes, she still had a significant role in influencing Eilis, who
seemed to be unsatisfied without her approval. “Rose would think that working behind the counter of
a grocery shop was not good enough for her”. When Eilis writes to Rose about Tony, she feels the
need to be cautious about describing Tony and his background and occupation. “Eilis had
deliberately left this out of the letter because she knew that Rose would hope that she would go out
with someone who had an office job”. Eilis saw Rose as an important role model and we can see
towards the end of the book that Eilis was more like Rose in the way she dressed and showed self-
assurance. The bonds that Eilis has with different characters shape her identity in many ways. The
novel explores the idea of evolving identity and through this, shows the effects of influential people.

As a young woman, Eilis identifies by the expectations placed upon her. Her social background
constitutes that either her or Rose would take care of their mother, and since Rose died, Eilis was
expected to take on this role. This created a dilemma for Eilis between her new life in New York and
her old life. “I think she wants you to come home”. Her responsibilities to her family challenged her
new found independence. Toibin uses Rose’s death to illustrate the expectations of women during
the 1950’s by implying that Eilis would have to go back home and take care of the mother. Eilis’
migration to America was done out of obligation and she was not given a huge role in the decision.
In similarity, she went back to Enniscorthy because she was obliged. Eilis’ religious upbringing
forbids Eilis from having pre-marital sex. She is expected to behave and be respectful. After her
sexual encounter with Tony, Eilis is in a way more mature and less innocent. This has a huge
impact on Eilis’ identity and relationship with Tony. “She felt that he was more relaxed, more willing
to be silent and not trying to impress her so much or make jokes.” Toibin used the sex scene to act
as another turning point in Eilis’ transformation from a submissive young girl to a confident and
poised woman. The expectations placed upon Eilis by her family, religion and society, were key
forces of her transformation of identity.

The theme of self-identity is also explored through other characters in the novel. Toibin carefully
depicts the identities of other characters without revealing too much at the wrong times. Eilis’ mother
is not given a first name. Toibin has insufficiently portrayed this character to convey to the reader
that she should not be seen as a primary character. Her lack of identity makes it difficult to
sympathise a lot about her loneliness and loss. Miss Fortini is also used to explore the notion of
identity and also secrecy. The ‘changing room’ scene explores the idea of not being able to share
parts of your identity. “There was in the way she stood and gazed at her something clear that Eilis
knew she would never be able to tell anyone about.” This incident with Miss Fortini also reflects
Toibin’s own identity due to his sexual orientation. He may be exploring the difficulties of
homosexual people during the 1950’s and the judgemental environment they would face. The
character Jim Farrell is also used to interpret the ideas around identity. In many ways, he strongly
contrasted Tony. Unlike Tony he was born with a kind of legacy, while Tony had to earn respect and
work hard. Toibin uses Jim Farrell to represent what Eilis’ life would have been like if she had never
left the small and confining community of Enniscorthy and how her identity would have remained
fixed to her surroundings like Jim. Through these characters, identity is explored and we are able to
interpret the ideas outside of the parameters of just Eilis.

Eilis’ decision at the end of the novel reflects her obligatory nature and defines Eilis as what she has
become rather than by her old life. The reader is left dissatisfied with the ending. Many ends are left
untied which allows the reader to imagine what came next. Leaving Enniscorthy for the second time
affected Eilis significantly as it shut off any future with Jim or her family. In a way, Toibin uses the
ending to show Eilis’ lack of control over her life despite her personal growth. ‘Self-identity’ is
explored through the four stages of the novel and the themes of migration, relationships and
responsibility.