The Informer by Liam O’Flaherty
The narrative follows Francis Joseph McPhillip, a fugitive who has committed murder during a labor strike in Dublin. He is hiding in a lodging house, grappling with his guilt and fear of being caught. The story explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the harsh realities of life in a politically charged environment. McPhillip's past is revealed through his interactions with Gypo Nolan, a former policeman turned revolutionary. Gypo, who has been expelled from the Revolutionary Organization, is struggling with his own identity and purpose. The two men share a complicated friendship, marked by their shared experiences in the revolutionary movement and their current predicaments. As McPhillip navigates the dangers of his situation, he becomes increasingly paranoid about being discovered. His internal conflict intensifies as he contemplates his actions and their consequences. Meanwhile, Gypo's desperation leads him to make a fateful decision to inform on McPhillip, believing it will secure his own safety and reestablish his standing within the revolutionary circles. The climax of the story occurs when McPhillip is cornered by the police at his father's home. In a desperate attempt to escape, he shoots at the officers but ultimately takes his own life. Gypo, having betrayed his friend, is left to grapple with the weight of his actions and the implications of his choices. The work delves into the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of political turmoil, highlighting the moral ambiguities faced by individuals in times of crisis. The characters' struggles reflect broader themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the often brutal realities of life in a divided society.
By Liam O’Flaherty · First published 1925 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction · 18 chapters · 85,672 words
First lines
It was three minutes to six o'clock in the evening of the fifteenth of March 192‒.
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The novel explores complex themes of betrayal, morality, and identity through rich character development and prose.
- Historical Fiction — Set during the Irish War of Independence, it provides a historical context that shapes the characters' actions and motivations.
- Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around themes of informants and betrayal, central to crime narratives.
- Psychological Thriller — The internal conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere.
Tags
Irish Literature · Prose Fiction · Modernism · Realism · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Poverty · Corruption · Injustice · Morality · Ethics · Societal Critique
What this Textopian page supports
The Informer is listed on Textopian as a novel by Liam O’Flaherty, dated 1925 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Liam O’Flaherty
- Date: 1925 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Drama
- Length: 85,672 words
- Structure: 18 chapters, 1,389 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Informer by Liam O’Flaherty
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII
- CHAPTER XIV
- CHAPTER XV
- CHAPTER XVI
- CHAPTER XVII
- CHAPTER XVIII