“It was a girl. She was definitely a girl. He was sure of it.”
— Jimmy Rabbitte Sr. reflecting on the ultrasound scan of Sharon's baby.
Archivist's Choice
The Snapper
Roddy Doyle (1990)
Genre
Literary Fiction
Reading Time
240 min
Key Themes
See below
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When twenty-year-old Sharon Rabbitte gets pregnant and refuses to name the father, her working-class Dublin family, especially her bewildered dad, must grapple with their own prejudices and the prying eyes of their community.
Synopsis
Twenty-year-old Sharon Rabbitte, unmarried and living at home, discovers she's pregnant. She keeps the father's identity a secret, leading to speculation from her family, friends, and the entire Barrytown community. Her father, Jimmy Sr., struggles with shock and embarrassment. As Sharon's pregnancy progresses, she experiences changes, while Jimmy Sr. slowly begins to accept and develop an affection for his unborn grandchild. The family prepares for the baby's arrival. The baby, Georgina, is born, and the Rabbitte family adjusts to life with the new addition, showing the love and resilience within the family despite societal judgments and personal challenges.
Reading time
240 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Humorous, Realistic, Heartwarming, Candid
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy character-driven stories about working-class families, Irish humor, and explorations of familial love and societal expectations.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fast-paced plots with high stakes or explicit romance.
Plot Summary
Sharon's Secret Pregnancy
The novel opens with twenty-year-old Sharon Rabbitte, a working-class Dublin woman, discovering she is pregnant. She is unmarried and still lives at home with her large family in Barrytown. Sharon is initially in denial, trying to ignore her situation. She works at a local grocery store and spends her evenings with friends, trying to maintain normalcy. The news of her pregnancy slowly sinks in, causing her internal turmoil. She is anxious about telling her parents, Jimmy Sr. and Veronica, knowing it will cause a stir in their lively household and the close-knit community.
Breaking the News to the Family
After some hesitation, Sharon finally tells her mother, Veronica, about her pregnancy. Veronica, though initially shocked, reacts with quiet, pragmatic understanding, offering Sharon support. The harder task is telling her father, Jimmy Sr. When Sharon eventually breaks the news to him, Jimmy Sr. is stunned and furious. His initial reaction is disbelief and anger, especially because Sharon refuses to name the father. The news sends a ripple through the entire Rabbitte household, with Sharon's younger siblings reacting with curiosity, confusion, and sometimes inappropriate jokes, reflecting the typical chaos of the Rabbitte family.
The Community's Curiosity
Once Sharon's pregnancy becomes an open secret, the residents of Barrytown are curious about the baby's father. Speculation runs among neighbors, friends, and even family members. People constantly try to get information from Sharon or her family, often through thinly veiled questions or direct inquiries. Sharon, however, remains steadfast in her refusal to name the father, adding to the local gossip and frustration. This communal obsession creates added pressure and scrutiny for Sharon, making her feel constantly observed and judged, even as her family tries to shield her.
Jimmy Sr.'s Struggle with Acceptance
Jimmy Sr.'s initial anger and disappointment persist for some time. He struggles to come to terms with Sharon's unmarried pregnancy, which challenges his traditional views and his perception of his daughter. He frequently tries to get Sharon to reveal the father's name, but she consistently refuses. Over time, his anger evolves into a mix of protectiveness, worry, and a growing sense of responsibility for his daughter and her unborn child. He finds himself defending Sharon against the prying eyes and judgmental whispers of the community, slowly shifting from disapproval to a more supportive stance.
The Father's Identity Revealed (to the reader)
While Sharon maintains her silence to her family and the community, the reader eventually learns the father's identity: George Burgess. George is a married man and the husband of Sharon's friend, Jackie. This revelation explains Sharon's determination to keep his identity a secret, as exposing him would cause a scandal and deeply hurt her friend. The affair and subsequent pregnancy occurred after a drunken night out, and Sharon carries the burden of this secret, understanding the repercussions it would have on multiple lives if it were to come out.
Physical and Emotional Changes
As her pregnancy progresses, Sharon experiences the physical changes and discomforts, from morning sickness to her growing belly. These physical manifestations make it impossible to ignore her condition and bring her closer to the reality of motherhood. Emotionally, she navigates feelings of anxiety about the future, resentment at her situation, but also a growing connection to the life inside her. Her relationship with her body changes, and she faces the practicalities of preparing for a baby, often with the quiet help of her mother and, increasingly, her father.
Jimmy Sr.'s Growing Affection for the Unborn Baby
Despite his initial struggles, Jimmy Sr. develops a tender affection for his unborn grandchild. He starts referring to the baby as 'The Snapper,' a term that becomes a running motif throughout the book. He talks to Sharon's belly, sings to it, and even places his hand on it, feeling the baby kick. This shift marks a change in Jimmy Sr.'s character, showing his capacity for love and acceptance despite his gruff exterior. His growing anticipation for 'The Snapper' becomes a source of humor and heartwarming moments within the family.
Family Dynamics Shift
Sharon's pregnancy changes the Rabbitte family dynamics. While it initially causes friction, particularly with Jimmy Sr., it brings the family closer in many ways. Veronica is a quiet pillar of strength and support for Sharon. The younger siblings, initially bewildered, adjust to the idea, with some showing excitement. Jimmy Sr.'s journey from anger to acceptance is central, and his protectiveness of Sharon and the 'snapper' solidifies his role as the family patriarch, albeit a flawed one. The shared experience strengthens their bonds, despite the ongoing public speculation.
The Birth of Georgina
As Sharon's due date approaches, the excitement and anticipation in the Rabbitte household build. The labor is depicted with Doyle's realism and humor, focusing on the family's anxieties and Jimmy Sr.'s comical attempts to be helpful. Sharon eventually gives birth to a healthy baby girl. She names her Georgina, a subtle nod to the baby's father, George, which only the reader and Sharon are aware of. The birth marks a moment of joy and relief for the entire family, particularly for Jimmy Sr., who is instantly smitten with his new granddaughter, solidifying his full acceptance.
Life with Georgina
Following Georgina's birth, the Rabbitte household adjusts to life with a new baby. Georgina quickly becomes the center of attention, adored by everyone, especially Jimmy Sr., who dotes on her. Sharon embraces her role as a single mother with quiet strength and determination. While the community still buzzes with unanswered questions about Georgina's paternity, the family forms a protective circle around Sharon and the baby. The novel concludes with the Rabbitte family, chaotic and loving as ever, having fully accepted Georgina into their fold, signifying a new beginning and the strength of family bonds.
Principal Figures
Sharon Rabbitte
The Protagonist
Sharon moves from denial and secrecy to open acceptance of her pregnancy and her role as a mother, growing in confidence and self-assurance.
Jimmy Sr. Rabbitte
The Supporting
He transforms from an angry, traditional father to a doting, protective grandfather, fully embracing his daughter's child.
Veronica Rabbitte
The Supporting
She remains a consistent source of strength and support for her daughter, embodying quiet resilience throughout the family's ordeal.
George Burgess
The Mentioned
His character remains static and off-stage, serving as the catalyst for the central conflict without direct involvement.
Jackie Burgess
The Supporting
She remains unaware of the truth, her character serving to highlight Sharon's sacrifice and loyalty.
Darren Rabbitte
The Supporting
He gradually accepts his sister's pregnancy, moving from juvenile comments to a more integrated family role.
Georgina Rabbitte
The Supporting
Born into a complex situation, she becomes the symbol of hope and the object of universal family love and acceptance.
Bertie
The Supporting
His character remains static, serving as a recurring voice of community speculation.
Themes & Insights
Family and Community Bonds
The novel explores the chaotic bonds within a large working-class Irish family and their close-knit community. Despite initial shock and public gossip surrounding Sharon's unmarried pregnancy, the Rabbitte family ultimately rallies around her, showing fierce loyalty and unconditional love. Jimmy Sr.'s transformation from anger to doting grandfather exemplifies the strength of these family ties. The community, while gossipy, also provides a backdrop of shared experience and a sense of belonging, showing both its pressures and its comforts.
“''Family. It's not a word. It's a sentence.'”
Acceptance and Forgiveness
A central theme is the journey towards acceptance, particularly for Jimmy Sr., who grapples with his daughter's unconventional pregnancy. His initial disapproval slowly gives way to a love for his unborn grandchild, symbolizing the family's ultimate acceptance of Sharon's situation without judgment of her choices. Sharon's own journey involves accepting her new reality as a single mother. The quiet forgiveness and unwavering support from Veronica also show this theme, how love can overcome societal expectations and personal disappointments.
“''He'd get used to it. He'd have to. It was family.'”
Secrecy and Public Scrutiny
Sharon's decision to keep the father's identity a secret is a major driving force of the plot, creating tension and generating public scrutiny within the small Barrytown community. The constant speculation from neighbors and Jimmy Sr.'s friends shows the invasive nature of gossip in a close-knit environment. Sharon's silence is an act of both self-preservation and protection for others, showing the burden and power of holding a secret, and the societal pressures that lead individuals to do so, even at personal cost.
“''Whose is it?' 'None of your business,' Sharon had said. And that was that. Or should have been.'”
Irish Working-Class Life
Roddy Doyle portrays the realities of working-class life in Dublin, particularly Barrytown. The novel is rich with authentic dialogue, humor, and details of domestic life, from crowded family homes to local pubs. It captures the resilience, humor, and strong sense of community that characterize this demographic. The struggles and joys of the Rabbitte family, their language, and their interactions are rooted in this specific cultural and social context, making the setting an almost palpable character in itself.
“''The Rabbitte house was never quiet. Never. There was always a telly, or a radio, or a kid, or all three.'”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Unnamed Father
The withheld identity of the baby's father as a central mystery and source of tension.
The identity of Sharon's baby's father is kept a secret from the Rabbitte family and the community throughout the majority of the novel. While the reader eventually learns it is George Burgess, Sharon's steadfast refusal to name him creates the primary external conflict and a sustained mystery. This device highlights Sharon's agency, her loyalty to her friend Jackie, and the intense social pressure surrounding her pregnancy. It also fuels the community's gossip and Jimmy Sr.'s frustration, driving much of the narrative's humor and tension.
'The Snapper' as a Symbol
Jimmy Sr.'s affectionate nickname for his unborn grandchild, symbolizing acceptance and love.
The term 'The Snapper' is Jimmy Sr.'s nickname for Sharon's unborn baby. Initially, it's a somewhat gruff, almost dismissive term, but as the pregnancy progresses, it transforms into a deeply affectionate and tender moniker. This device symbolizes Jimmy Sr.'s evolving acceptance and love for his grandchild, serving as a barometer for his emotional journey. The repeated use of the term also adds a touch of quirky humor and warmth, underscoring the unique bond forming within the family and the baby's integration into the Rabbitte clan even before birth.
Dialogue-Driven Narrative
Extensive use of authentic, colloquial Irish dialogue to reveal character and advance plot.
Roddy Doyle employs a highly dialogue-driven narrative, capturing the distinctive rhythms, humor, and slang of working-class Dublin speech. The conversations are often rapid-fire, overlapping, and filled with bluntness and wit, reflecting the boisterous and informal communication style of the Rabbitte family. This device not only makes the characters feel incredibly real and relatable but also serves to advance the plot, reveal character personalities, and convey emotions more directly than extensive narration. The dialogue is key to establishing the novel's authentic tone and humor.
Limited Omniscient Point of View (focused on Jimmy Sr.)
The narrative often filters events and emotions through Jimmy Sr.'s perspective.
While the story centers on Sharon, a significant portion of the narrative, particularly the emotional arc, is filtered through Jimmy Sr.'s limited omniscient point of view. The reader gains deep insight into his thoughts, struggles, and eventual acceptance of Sharon's pregnancy. This choice allows for a nuanced exploration of a father's evolving emotions and prejudices, making his transformation particularly poignant. By focusing on Jimmy Sr.'s internal world, Doyle explores themes of masculinity, tradition, and unconditional love from a unique angle, adding depth to the family drama.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“They were all looking at her stomach. She knew they were.”
— Sharon Rabbitte feeling scrutinized by her family and community due to her pregnancy.
“She wasn't going to tell anyone. She'd keep it a secret. For ever.”
— Sharon's initial decision to conceal the identity of her baby's father.
“They were all great, her family. She loved them. Even when they were doing her head in.”
— Sharon's complex feelings towards her boisterous, interfering but ultimately supportive family.
“A baby. A fecking baby. Where did they come from anyway?”
— Darren Rabbitte's naive and somewhat bewildered reaction to the news of Sharon's pregnancy.
“He didn't care who the father was. It was his grandchild. That was all that mattered.”
— Jimmy Sr.'s ultimate acceptance and protection of Sharon's baby, regardless of paternity.
“She was a snapper. A Dublin snapper. That's what she was.”
— Sharon self-identifying with the term 'snapper' (a pregnant woman) and her Dublin roots.
“It was like a competition. Who could say the most shocking thing.”
— The Rabbitte family's often irreverent and blunt communication style.
“She felt like a balloon, getting bigger and bigger, and everyone was watching her inflate.”
— Sharon's physical and emotional experience of advanced pregnancy.
“He knew it wasn't his, but he felt like it was. It felt like his.”
— Jimmy Sr.'s growing paternal feelings towards his unborn grandchild.
“He just wanted to hit someone. Anyone. To make them stop looking at her.”
— Jimmy Sr.'s protective anger when Sharon is publicly shamed.
“The baby was coming. No going back now. It was happening.”
— Sharon's realization during labor that the birth is imminent and irreversible.
“She was a Rabbitte. A proper Rabbitte. Through and through.”
— The family's embrace of the newborn baby into the Rabbitte clan.
“It was a good thing. A good thing, despite everything.”
— Sharon's ultimate acceptance and joy over her baby, overcoming initial difficulties.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
'The Snapper' is about twenty-year-old Sharon Rabbitte, who becomes pregnant out of wedlock and lives at home with her large, working-class Dublin family. The novel follows her pregnancy, her decision to keep the father's identity a secret, and the varied reactions of her family, particularly her father Jimmy Sr., as they grapple with the societal implications and personal adjustments.
About the author
Roddy Doyle is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. He is the author of eleven novels for adults, eight books for children, seven plays and screenplays, and dozens of short stories. Several of his books have been made into films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. Doyle's work is set primarily in Ireland, especially working-class Dublin, and is notable for its heavy use of dialogue written in slang and Irish English dialect. Doyle was awarded the Booker Prize in 1993 for his novel Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha.
