The Informer · Chapter
IV explained
Gypo Nolan, overwhelmed by guilt and paranoia, impulsively gives Mrs.
What happens
Gypo Nolan, overwhelmed by guilt and paranoia, impulsively gives Mrs. McPhillip the silver coins from his reward, then rushes out. Mary McPhillip defends her brother Frankie's revolutionary actions against her father's criticism, and later questions Gypo about Frankie's last meeting, causing Gypo to panic when more coins fall from his pocket, drawing suspicion.
Themes in this chapter
Guilt and Paranoia
Gypo's erratic actions and panic when coins fall reveal his overwhelming guilt and fear of exposure.
Betrayal and Its Consequences
The suspicion of an informer hangs over the room; Gypo's behavior intensifies the sense of betrayal.
Class Struggle and Poverty
Mary's conflicted feelings about revolution and her father's socialist views highlight class tensions.
Loyalty and Comradeship
Mary defends her brother's memory despite her own changing views; the community's initial defense of Gypo.
Characters to notice
- Gypo Nolan
Acts erratically from guilt, gives coins to Mrs. McPhillip, panics when more coins fall, draws suspicion.
- Mary McPhillip
Defends Frankie's revolutionary actions against her father, questions Gypo about Frankie's last meeting.
- Mrs. McPhillip
Receives coins from Gypo and sobs loudly.
- Frankie McPhillip
Dead revolutionary; his actions and memory are defended by Mary.
- Bartly Mulholland
Observes Gypo's strange behavior with narrowed eyes, later follows him.
- Tommy Connor
Speaks up to defend Gypo, later follows him out.
- Jack McPhillip
Father of Frankie and Mary; argues with Mary about revolution and violence.
Key passages
“I swear before Almighty God that I warned him to keep away from the house.”
Gypo loudly claims he warned Frankie to stay away from the house.
Gypo's desperate attempt to deflect suspicion by swearing an oath.
“Take it. Ye were good to me an' I'm sorry for yer trouble.”
Gypo gives Mrs. McPhillip the silver coins, saying she was kind to him and he regrets her loss.
Gypo's guilt-driven gesture of giving away his reward money.
“I stand by what Frankie has done. I don't agree with him in politics, but every man has a right to his opinions and every man should fight for his rights according to...”
Mary publicly supports her brother's actions despite disagreeing with his politics, asserting his right to fight for his beliefs.
Mary's impulsive defense of Frankie, driven by communal hatred of the law.
“If you were a friend of my brother, you are quite welcome here. Come into the parlour a minute. I want to talk to you.”
Mary invites Gypo to the parlour to ask about Frankie's last meeting.
Mary's request triggers Gypo's panic and the revealing of more coins.