The themes of Paddy Clarke Ha

There are several core themes that run throughout Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. The first one we encounter, on the first page in fact, is the relationship he has with his friends. At the beginning of the novel his friends are a hugely important part of his life, but as the novel progresses, they gradually become less important. Another relationship that changes gradually is that with his brother, as his friendship with Kevin and his …

…he is forced to grow up quicker than any ten-year-old boy should have to. The story of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is basically the story of Paddy living through a traumatic period of his childhood. His world has crumbled and the principles by which he has lived his life up to that point have been destroyed, but he comes out of the story as a stronger person, and is not a mature young man.