To what extent is Paddy a product of his environment? Considering how his home life, his school life, his relationship with friends, and Barrytown impact his character and behavior in an analytical way

The book starts out hinting about problems between the parents. It appears only to be verbal abuse until mid-story, when the ma doesn't get up one morning. Readers are left to assume that she was hiding a bruise or evidence of a physical fight the night before. Paddy realizes it is serious, but hopes she will be up after school so everything can appear normal. When he comes home, she is up and he likes to think the day will be ok now.

Paddy begins to take on the role of protector. He wants to believe in his da, but at the same time, he doesn't like him. He knows that he was lied to about the autograph in the book, and he doesn't like the way he is treated. He doesn't feel like he can run to him anytime, he has to feel out his mood and approach carefully. Paddy resents that, and tries to blame the newspaper that his da reads, saying it is what affects his moods.

Sinbad likes to pretend everything is fine when it is quiet at night, but he does realize his parents fight. It affects his eating habits and it affects his schoolwork. Paddy comes to protect him instead of bullying him. He shields Sinbad from the reprimands of the teacher for crying in school. He starts to want to be with him just for the sake of being. He even asks if he wants to be called by his real name, Francis. The Clarke's operate as a typical family in a household of abuse, Paddy does his best to navigate through the chaos.