Part 1, 1940-1945, Chapter 5 Summary

Sean Sr., goes out drinking regularly after his son enlists and returns, mocking him. Maureen is moved up to first-born and goes off to nursing school in Dublin. Offered separate rooms, Aisling and Elizabeth refuse to be parted. Elizabeth prays that her mother will not come to visit, knowing that she will not fit in. Violet's note admits that she is depressed. After a drinking binge, Dr. Lynch visits the O'Connors to avenge his daughter Berna. Aisling stands up against his verbal abuse of Donal over his asthma and Eileen then laughs at him. Young Sean eventually writes from boot camp. His father seems not to read the letters and ages badly from the added work.

When Donal reaches the Brothers' school, he is picked on for his weakness. As Aisling grows defiant and neglects her schoolwork, Elizabeth does...