Society´s Role in Morley Callaghan’s novel More Joy in Heaven

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Morley Callaghan’s novel More Joy in Heaven follows the short life of notorious bank robber and gunman Kip Caley. Callaghan's novel is based off and follows Red Ryan's now forgotten story almost word for word. Red Ryan and the fictional Kip Caley both face the effects of a being an outsider in a forceful, high-class society. Individuals and organizations play a huge responsibility role to ex-convicts; readers of More Joy in Heaven unfortunately see the side effects when selfishness and thirst for glory play into this important, delicate role. Nonetheless that readers see what the wrong individuals will do to an ex-convict, readers will also see what kinder individuals can do to someone trying to reform. Yet what the public does and does not do is not to be blamed systematically; Red Ryan and Kip Caley crave societies attention and even begin to depend on it before their story is over. Their craving for attention makes them vulnerable to being abused by society. Both society and parolees want to live the upstanding lives, but neither takes into account what the others wants and needs are, so who’s fault is it when a parolee fails to meet societies precast expectations?
It promptly becomes clear to the reader that almost no one wants to give Kip Caley a break; instead all the “upstanding” citizens that insisted on his early release want to use him to benefit their own statuses. Unfortunately for Kip, Senator Maclean is the most persuasive character and convinces Caley to take a job that will keep him in the public’s eye. By offering Kip false hope, a job, and a temporary spot in the inner class he allows for Kip to obtain a dream that under his circumstances will never be achieved. Jenkins on the other hand, is the complete opposit...

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...g him, the ending of this story would be much different. The more high-class society refuses to help those in need, and care only of their own gain the less lower society will have increasing criminal activity. Criminals have to do their part also, staying blind and letting societies inner workings manipulate them does not help anyone especially not themselves. By over expressing society and making a simple-minded hero, Callaghan creates an extreme example of what can happen when society denies rehabilitation. If everyone in this story had worked together in a positive way Red Ryan’s life and Kip Caley’s fictional story may have had a happier ending

Works Cited

"Doomed To Fail." Quill & Quire 73.4 (2007): 42. Canadian Literary Centre. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.uregina.ca:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cjh&AN=25073119&site=ehost-live

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