“Ah cannae explain whit it wis but the glitter jist brought everythin tae life...”
The glitter pens are symbols of life, may it be on a blank piece of paper, or for her sick father. This viewpoint of Clare shows that she is young and is attempting to bring life to her father. The word-choice of “life” shows that Clare is struggling to deny the fact that her father is going to die soon–she sees glitter as a saviour. She feels relieved when she finds a way to cheer her father up:
“It’s good tae find sumpn that cheers him up even a wee bit because ma daddy’s really sick.”
Although Clare is aware of the fact that her father is very sick, she is glad that the glitters are cheering him up, and hopes that he may get better. As the story continues, it is clear to the readers that Clare’s father’s condition is worsening day by day, but Clare is still adamant he may get better:
“He seemed a bit better than usual, mair alert, listenin tae whit ah hud tae say, but his skin wis a terrible colour and his cheeks were hollow.”
Clare’s denial of her father’s condition is shown thoroughly, she sees that he is not well, but she thinks that the glitter has made him more “alert”. Donovan explains that Clare’s father is suffering from asbestos, and it is clearly shown from the word-choice “terrible” that his condition is deteriorating. However, the word-choice of “alert” from Clare’s point of view goes in contrast to “terrible”. To make her father feel better, Clare goes to the trouble of purchasing a brand new pack of glitters to create a Christmas card for her father. Upon reaching home, Clare senses something is wrong, and then is brought to light by her mother who tells her that her father has passed away. Clare feels a bit of regret upon hearing the sudden news.
The death of Clare’s father leads to a sudden course in events for Clare overall. Clare feels as though her father’s passing away has left something unfinished. However, she is unable to put her finger on it, and figure out what the unfinished business may be:
“Ah felt that his going wis incomplete and ah wanted tae dae sumpn fur him...”
Donovan uses the word-choice of “incomplete” to show that although Clare has accepted the fact that her father has passed away, there is still something missing. Therefore, Clare finds a way to figure out the incomplete feeling. She recalls her memory with her father, when she had worn a red dress for her birthday and her father had called her a princess in it. Acting on first instinct, Clare decides to wear the red dress to the funeral, thinking that it might give peace to her father. After wearing the dress, she encounters her aunt and the conflict of the story is revealed:
“Whit the hell dae you think you’re daeing? Go and get changed this minute.”
“You cannae wear red tae a funeral. You have tae show respect fur the deid.”
Clare’s aunt gets a sudden shock seeing Clare wearing red to the funeral. The characterization of her aunt shows that she is very traditional and goes according to the customs of the convention. Donovan has clearly shown the relationship between Clare and her aunt, and this relationship is a cold one. Clare’s aunt feels no sympathy towards Clare, she is not comforting Clare for her father’s death. Rather, she is giving her the cold shoulder and forcing Clare to grow up:
“Don’t you dare disturb your mother on a day like this tae ask her aboot claes. Have you no sense? Clare, you’re no a baby, it’s time you grew up and shows some consideration for other folk.”
Clare’s aunt regards Clare as a senseless girl, who has no respect for others. She doesn’t want Clare to disturb her mother, but act her age and change into suitable clothes that are appropriate for a funeral. Clare feels dejection as she is unable to wear those clothes to the funeral, but she knows too well as to not to go against her aunt’s words. She cries her eyes out thinking of a way to get out of the situation, when suddenly she gets an idea.
Although Clare is very depressed of her father’s death, she realises that it is not right for her to sit and cry. Therefore, she decides to find another way to do something nice for her father. She knows she cannot go against her aunt’s words, as that will be disrespectful, so she gets changed into her school uniform. At this point Clare remembers the glitters pens - that she had bought to make the Christmas card – and decides to put the glitter all over her.
“Ah took the gold wan, squeezing the glitter on ma fingers then rubbin it intae ma hair, then added silver and red and green.”
From her sensible decision, it is clear that Clare’s personality has changed and that she is thinking of others before putting herself first. Donovan has used the colours “gold” to symbolise the idea that Clare is now healing; the colour “red” symbolises the love that Clare holds for her father and the colour “green” to symbolise a new beginning – fresh life. After covering herself from head t o toe, Clare looks at herself in the mirror and sees:
“The strands of hair stood oot roon ma heid like a halo, glistering and dancing in the light.”
The writer has purposely used the word-choice of “halo” to show that Clare feels close to her father after applying the glitter on her. Clare finally feels as though the missing feeling of her father’s leave has completed.
“Then ah stood and looked in the mirror at the glowing figure afore me and ah smiled.
Subtle, daddy?
Aye hen, subtle.”
At last, Clare has found her closure in successfully being able to come near her father. Donovan has used the word “subtle” in the story more than once. This word plays a very important part in Clare’s memory, as this was the last conversation she had with her father about. The conversation was when Clare had returned home from school, and was telling her father about how her teacher had called the glitter “subtle”. Her father had asked her what she meant by “subtle”, but being a child, she was unable to explain it in words, so she had decided to show it to him. However, after the death of her father, Clare now understands what the true meaning of “subtle” for glitter was – even though it is a small detail, it holds great importance for Clare.
Overall, Ann Donovan has skilfully led an effective change of Clare’s character from the start of the story to the ending. She had started with emphasizing Clare’s youthfulness, and eventually turned her into a character who has respect for others and does not wish to create problems due to her loss. Although, Clare was in denial of her father’s inevitable death, she had an inside feeling that no matter what the day was to come soon. However, she had ignored it by using glitters as an asset to bring life back to her father. After the conflict, Clare’s infantile behaviour takes a turn and she realises the reality of life and becomes an independent girl, which is a positive outcome for Clare.
