Yo, what's up?
I am aware that his has nothing to do with the end of the novel. However this question can only be answered after having finished reading it, which put it back into context.

The topic of the thread says it: I'd like to ask you if you liked the character Cal.

As the gentleman that I am I will give you my opinion to start this off with a little rant:

First of all, I hated the character Cal and had no sympathy for him whatsoever.
As the main character of the story he seemed just too passive to me. I'd describe him as a socially awkward, lazy guy drowning in self-pitty, procrastinating everything that would be normal or important. Everything that happens in the novel happens on behalf of other characters. An example for this would be his relationship to Crilly at the beginning of the novel when he is not yet involved in the IRAs criminal activities. When reminded by his dad to call Crilly because he asked for him, Cal states in his thoughts that he "doesn't want everything to start all over again". By that he means being a mindless follower for that violent thug Crilly, just like he was at school when he helped beating up innocent young boys because he didn't have the courage do do anything against it. So he says he doesn't want it to start all over. But what does he do? Nothing. He procrastinates until Crilly reaches out to him.

There's a ton of examples like that in the story. Notice how it took the protestants to burn down his house for Cal to get closer to Marcella? Yeah, things like that.

So give me your insight on what you think. But don't write a whole research paper like Jonas does, that kind of stops the discussion.

I have to say that I couldn't really bond with Cal either. As you said - he's way too passive.
But at first I thought he would change - what he did, but not in the way I thought - and that it's just out of his situation, because if I'm really honest, I disliked the father more.
How can he be so stubborn and not only endanger himself but his own son by being too proud to move?

Whatever, back to Cal's character.. If I try to look at it rationally I come to this conclusion:
I think he behaves like a typical teenager who doesn't know what to do with himself. He's got no friends, even more, most of his neighbours detest him - so he's all on his own, we shouldn't forget about that when we're judging him.
Why doesn't he go out there and get himself an employment? Probably because his father isn't that good of an example. Yes, his father is working, but no, his father doesn't do anything to make his situation more comfortable, as I already mentioned before. So I guess, Cal's just a poor sod - but that doesn't make him any more likeable to me.

And to refer it to the topic "Cal and the end of the novel" a little more: would a change of a character also change our view on the end?
I really think it would with me, because when I read the end I just thought something like: "oh, kind of pretendable, hmm, ok, finished reading".
I guess, if I had been more into the character of Cal it would have had a stronger effect on me, like I maybe would have more pity on him or be disappointed in how the conflict had to end for him.
Because somehow it was kind of sad, that after he finally gets his mind together and stands up for what he wants and thinks is right - he gets caught by the police. Honestly?
But as I said, it was kind of sad, not really carrying away.

So do you think a character change would have also changed your feelings on the end?

I agree with all of you.
When I started reading the book it was really hard for me to identify with a main character who is firstly a boy, secondly a lazy one and thirdly member of a terrorist group in which he doesn't really wanna be. I also didn't understand the relationship with his father and couldn't quite follow his thoughts. Throughout the book that point got better. But I still think he's a difficult character to identify with.
His unwanted membership in the IRA is kind of a sign of his weak character. He is not able to find a job, to live on his own and he is not even able to fight for his real opinion.
I guess that in the end he seemed a little more likable to me. But for me it's also a sign of his weak character. Also his lying to Marcella isn't understandable for me. I don't know how he is able to be together with her although he killed her husband.
In conclusion: I don't understand Cal and I'm not able to identify with him. I don't like how he behaves because I would do it in a total different way.

I totally get your point of him lying to Marcella! Hope, that doesn't go too far near the topic "Cal and Marcella" but, how can you hide such a big lie from someone you want to have a serious relationship with? In my opinion relationships are a lot about trust. And if you're lying to your partner how should he (or in this case: she) have trust in you? And how can you expect her to be trustworthy (can u say that? :D) if you're not honest in the first place? I think in that point he doesn't think far enough. If the end wouldn't have been Cal being arrested - who knows what happens afterwards - what would he have done? Live a happy life with Marcella? I don't think it would have worked that well without telling her the truth. But before Lennard's pointing out the fact, that Crilly was "just the driver" again: We know that Lennard, but he IS kind of responsible for the death of her husband, even if he didn't pull the trigger - my opionion. Oh, and sorry, Milena for the dashs :P
Back to the topic. You don't like Cal either, Milena, so did you like that he got arrested, or would you have wished him worth? :D

Well, I think it's really important for him being arrested because it's a kind of a punishment for not leaving the IRA when he was able to. I think it could also be a re-start for him and maybe he starts a total different life after it. That's something I would wish him.
And to answer to you other question: If I would have liked him more, I probably would have wanted another end for him. Maybe also a happy end with Marcella.

Well, I want to share my opinion about the character Cal too. It's nearly the same you allready said, but what I want to add is, that for me Cal isn't a character you would wish this end (I think that's the best question for the topic "Cal and the end of the novel", because it includes also, what we think about Cal).
When I read this book I didn't get so easily into this character. He's not that typical guy you (want) to read about, because he's so different in his way of thinking and acting like we would do. I don't want to repeat what you allready wrote, but for me he wasn't that repulsive (~abstossend) like all of you said. For me it made the character kind of interesting, because, like I said, he is so different. He's not that hero, who fights for his freedom or who assists the poor guys and brings catholic and protestant people together. That's nice to read, but honestly, it's not so realistic and because you read everytime about a hero who has a special talent, it get's a little bit annoying and boring. But Cal is the complete opposite. He doesn't want to stay in the middle of attention, he can't even get up and say out loud what he realy things. And that's what I like about Cal. Of course, you maybe can think while reading the book "I would do this in a complete different way", and yes, actually you would, but the most people wouldn't react like you, reading this book. Cal is a perfect example for a guy who lives in this conflict and he shows fantastic, why the persons don't make their situation more comfortable - because he hasn't the courage to do it. It takes everytime courage to do something against a situation, even if the situation is bad for you. But most people act like Cal.
So for me, it's positive that Cal is like he is, acts and thinks like he does. For that you must not like him, I actually wouldn't hang out with him if he would be a real person. But I have to say that at the end of the novel I commiserate with Cal. Maybe he would have told her, what he had done, but for that it's too late. I guess Milena said that, maybe he needed this punsh to wake up.

To come to an end - I can't identify with Cal, but on the other hand I don't hate or detest him. It was more interesting than thrilling, and the end ... I would wish him a better one, but maybe that would be too easy. At last he gets the quittance for what he had (not) done, like we in german say ;)

Well, what you wrote reminds of what I said about looking at it in a rational way, so I do unterstand your point.
You say, it maybe would have been too easy if he got a better ending. But when I think of the ending it always comes to my mind, that maybe the author even made it too easy - for himself.
I think it's totally lame (well, okay, it's kind of realistic, but who cares) that he's just taken away by the police. That way, Cal gets his "push" or punishment or whatsoever from the law.
Even if I wouldn't wish anyone, that he gets mentally hurt, I think it would have been way more enthralling if he didn't get punished by the police for his deeds, like helping the IRA, but if he had to feel the consequences of his deeds or like you said of what he had missed to do in a more drastic or mainly in a more personal way. Everyone who commits a crime goes to jail, but I think to learn what you've done wrong in respect of treating other people you need an emotional push, not an imprisonment. I don't say I would wish him emotional pain, but I think it could have helped him grow. And to see, that after the small change he already had, he's getting even closer to being a strong person - that would be an end, I'd totally appreciate. ;)

Zitat von Nena im Beitrag #7

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[...] Everyone who commits a crime goes to jail, but I think to learn what you've done wrong in respect of treating other people you need an emotional push, not an imprisonment. I don't say I would wish him emotional pain, but I think it could have helped him grow. And to see, that after the small change he already had, he's getting even closer to being a strong person [...]

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For me Cal is a "coward". I mean he is not abel to say that he doesn't wanna help Crilly etc. and then he can't tell Marcella what he had comitted.
And in the end he ran away and just sitts around waiting for the police and he is still not abel to tell Marcella the truth ...
In my opinion there is no chance in the book and I can't identify with such a person. So I can't "like" this character

Yeah, maybe some time to think would be a start. ;)
I guess, I'd like him better, but that's not the point. He has gone through so much and in my opionion whether I like him or not he deserves to take some good out of it, you know?
From what I've learned, bad experiences do make you stronger and a more thoughtful and maybe even individual person. So that's why I thought about this emotional push in the first point. But yes, every person is different, so I can't know for sure, what will go on in Cal's head while he's in prison, probably the author has left that for everyone to decide on his own for good.

So what you say is, that you actually don't like Cal, if the end of the novel would be a different one? Ok, I didn't expected that ;) But I now got your point. All the trouble and Cal hasn't finally something he takes with him, nothing positive what could change him. That's a little bit frustrating! To tell the truth, it makes me feel even more sorry for Cal!