Analysis
Summary:
This story is about Molly and Paddy Maguire, a married couple living in Ireland. The
couple is not exactly living the high life, and Molly's world changes when Paddy gets a
big promotion. Suddenly, they're on the brink of wealth, and Molly’s thoughts turn to
something she’s always wanted—a fur coat! But not just any fur coat. She dreams of
mink, sable, and broadtail furs. Molly is ready for a makeover, believing that a fur coat
will give her the “glamorous life” she’s been dreaming about. Paddy agrees to buy
her the coat on credit, but the more she thinks about it, the more uncertain she
becomes. In the end, after all the back-and-forth, Molly decides she doesn’t actually
want the fur coat after all. Classic case of "wanting something and not really
knowing why"!
What’s in a Title?
The fur coat is more than just a fancy piece of clothing; it represents a desire for
status, wealth, and a symbol of success. But in a deeper sense, it also represents
Molly’s internal conflict between being content with what she has and wanting to
appear like someone else, someone "better."
Key Themes:
Desire: Molly's desire for a fur coat is intense—she thinks it will transform her into
the "better version" of herself, someone who belongs with the wealthy and
powerful people her husband now mingles with. It’s almost like she’s buying a
ticket to the VIP section of life.
Social Class/Wealth/Hardship: Molly and Paddy have been through rough
patches, especially when Paddy was in prison. But when Paddy gets promoted,
they’re suddenly part of the upper class—or so they think. The fur coat is a way for
Molly to bridge the gap between her humble past and the glamorous future she
imagines.
Love and Generosity: Despite the tension over the fur coat, it’s clear that Paddy
loves Molly and wants to make her happy. He’s so generous that he’s willing to buy
her this expensive item to make her feel special.
Appearance: Molly believes that a fur coat will give her the “power” to stand tall
next to all the other fancy women she’ll meet now that Paddy’s job is fancier. It's
all about looking the part, even if you don’t feel it deep down.
Selfishness: While Paddy is trying to be practical, Molly is more concerned with
appearances and what other people will think of her. She’s torn between her desire
for a better life and her own insecurities. She keeps changing her mind—typical
when you can’t decide what you actually want, right?
How the Story Unfolds:
The setting is cozy yet tense inside the Maguire household in Ireland. Things start off
with Paddy getting a promotion, and Molly, naturally, wants to celebrate—by shopping
for that fabulous fur coat! The rising action builds as Molly just can’t make up her
mind, and this causes some friction between her and Paddy. Eventually, Molly accuses
Paddy of being "mean" (even though he’s just being sensible) and storms off, leaving
the situation unresolved. The story ends with Paddy offering her the money for the fur
coat, but Molly decides to destroy the cheque and apologizes. It’s like a clothing-
related rollercoaster, but without the actual shopping.
Character Breakdown:
Molly Maguire: A woman who’s a bit all over the place—she’s insecure about her
looks and her life but still longs to be seen as someone important. She’s stubborn,
proud, and wants the glam life—who doesn't, right? But she doesn’t actually need
the fur coat; it’s more about what it represents.
Paddy Maguire: He’s the calm and practical one. While Molly’s head is spinning
with dreams of furs and fancy parties, Paddy just wants to make sure they’re living
sensibly. He loves Molly, even if she’s being a bit difficult (and he has the patience
of a saint!).
Narrator’s Point of View:
The story is told by an outsider (third person). This gives us a little distance from the
characters' emotions and allows us to see their actions and thoughts in full, like
watching a reality TV show, but with more depth.
Style:
O'Faolain’s style in this story is humorous and filled with colloquial language. He
paints the picture of a domestic dispute in a way that’s lighthearted, even though the
topic itself is a bit tense.
Figures of Speech
O’Faolain is a master of figures of speech, making the story come to life with his
clever use of language. Here are a few:
Similes:
“...as if she were throwing sacks of turf...” – A hilarious image of Molly throwing
things around in frustration.
"Crying like a kid" – Because sometimes, we all throw tantrums, even if we’re
adults.
Metaphors:
“The years had polished her hard” – This metaphor suggests that life has made
Molly tough, like a piece of wood worn smooth by time.
Irony:
Molly calls Paddy mean, but in reality, he’s being incredibly generous. This is a
classic example of “you can’t please everyone!”
Tone and Mood:
Tone: The tone is a mix of angry and dissatisfied at the start, as Molly vents about
her frustrations. But then, it shifts to a lighter, humorous tone when the absurdity
of the situation kicks in—Molly’s obsessive desire for a fur coat gets a little
ridiculous, and we can’t help but laugh at how seriously she takes it.
Mood: The mood fluctuates between tense (when they argue) and humorous
(when Molly’s wild ideas seem to get the best of her). It's like a tug-of-war between
emotions.
Final Thoughts:
“The Fur Coat” is a playful yet insightful look at how appearances, desires, and social
pressures affect our decisions. It reminds us that sometimes, the things we think we
need to be happy might not be what we truly want or need in the end. And hey, who
wouldn’t like a good laugh over someone arguing about a fur coat? At least it keeps
things interesting!
