Important+Relationship3


 * __IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP: BILLY GENESIS AND ROSE[[image:Denniston-Rose.jpg align="right"]]__**

An important relationship in this novel is between Billy Genesis and Rose. Billy is her 'father' Jimmy Cork's, old business partner. He is a dishonest and evil immoral character whom most on Denniston dislike. They only tolerate him as he is the only blacksmith around. He is called Billy 'Genesis' because of his obsession will going to hell. He carries around a bible and can recite any verse of Genesis. This is an ironic name as he is obviously one of the most evil and sinful characters of the novel.

Rose is forced to move in with Billy after Jimmy dies when their house burns down. Rose dislikes Billy from the start. He tells her to call him "Uncle Billy" and Rose always responds "He's not my uncle". This shows her obvious mistrust of him. He builds her a "special room" with a door that locks from the outside. When she voices her concerns to Mrs Hanratty Rose is told that "a child cannot choose".

Billy eventually rapes Rose and none of the community help her. Con goes as far as putting a lock on the inside of her door for her but that is all. Mr Stringer the school teacher attempts to help her but is beaten up. He is told not to interfer in others family business. When he confronts Billy at Red Minifies (the bar) "no one will look him in the eye...there is a sense of shame in the room" but still no one stands up to help Rose.

Rose changes considerably because of her relationship with Billy. She becomes withdrawn and mistrusting. She no longer has a close relationship with Con because of her complete fear of men. She does not smile or laugh as she once did and her appearance has also changed for the worse. She develops dark circles under her eyes as a result of lack of sleep and worry. She is also described as being "thin and pale". This contrasts with the bright, happy and 'angelic' figure portrayed at the start of the novel.


 * __WHY IS THIS RELATIONSHIP IMPORTANT?__**

This relationship between Billy Genesis and Rose is important as it helps highlight the main themes of the novel. Firstly the theme of loss of childhood innocence. Rose's rape by Billy shows how she lost her innocence and naivety forever. The mistrust in men that she develops and her new waryness of people in general show that she is no longer a carefree child. Her traumatic abuse by Billy destroys her childhood. Another theme which this relationship shows is related to the responsibility of parents and communities to protect their children. Rose's situation is known or at least guessed at by both her mother and members of the Denniston community, yet nothing is done to help her. These actions (or inactions) highlight the point that if a child is being hurt or neglected in any way it is the responsibility of the parents and community to step in and do something about it. Inaction is just as evil a crime.


 * __QUOTES:__**
 * "A child cannot choose"
 * Billy built her a "special room"
 * "Your not my Uncle"
 * "Rose wasn't afraid of the dark but she was afraid of Billy"
 * "The life seemed to have gone out of Rose"
 * "Thin and pale...with dark circles under her eyes"
 * "These days she skipped like quicksilver whenever a man reached out"
 * "No one will look him in the eye...there is a sense of shame in the room"
 * Rose was "wary of human company...no one can get near her"
 * "I can pay for my board she said in her tight clear voice, older, much older than any child's should be"