Snow

Abstract

It's the late 70's in Ireland and it's pretty grim. Michael Logan is walking home from his girlfriend's (Rita) house in Harold's Cross, a working class suburb of Dublin. It's late, Michael has missed the last bus, and it has just begun to snow. Michael is in his forties and works as a Harbour Policeman in Dun Laoghaire, seven miles outside of the city. As he starts the long walk home, Michael's thoughts turn to Rita and how they first met. Rita is 35, and a decent woman. Michael is very fond of her, but he does not love her. As he continues his walk, he delves more and more into the past, and we learn of Susan, a free spirited woman he loved over 20 years previously. We learn of his relationship, and of the kind of life that Michael lived in 1950s Ireland. We see Michael as a bright and energetic young man, trying to forge a new world and break away from the traditional conventions. We also learn of a great personal tragedy that prevented Susan and Michael from being together.