That last comment was mean and unneccessary.
In response to the English A level person, don't try to always
take the easy route- the Donnelly twins are extremely important
presences in the novels, about the novel's themes and message in
general... their absence is important, as is Sarah's lack of speech.
Anyway,
I guess you've talked about the incident between Manus and his father
with the crib? (how one of them feels that they owe the other
something... can't remember exactly) and how Hugh seems to favour
Owen? Are you writing such a basic independent essay or what?