The Roadtrain of Love

LONELINESS AND THE

STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE

IN

THE ROADTRAIN OF LOVE

The Roadtrain of Love presents a powerful account of the diverse emotions that have the power to influence , motivate and confuse the protagonist of the story . Paddy O 'Reilly 's short story discusses a range of issues among which love , isolation , confusion , desire to control and the desire to give in . O 'Reilly uses a number of language tools to get the message across and to create powerful images

O 'Reilly 's entire piece revolves around a curious technique

, which the author uses to present the mental state of the protagonist and the confusion she is going through . In the beginning of the story , we discover the character driving in her car , trying to run away from a lover and a relationship she no longer wants . Her quest will take her to the end of the road , the end of the world , if necessary . He follows her She is torn between her past and her present , isolation and being with a loved one , the desire to be independent and the willingness to give in The entire piece uses driving as an allegory representing different stages of life and love

Simple objects in the car are used to demonstrate the strength of emotions that the character is experiencing . I 'm in control of this roadtrain . My only trouble is that I keep looking back in the rear vision mirror (O 'Reilly , 2004 ,

.152 . The mirror is presented as a...