Patrick Cleary Character Analysis in The Thorn Birds

Patrick (Patsy) Cleary, the quieter of the twins, shares an unbreakable bond with his twin, Jims. Wounded in New Guinea during World War II, he returns home with physical damage and emotional scars. Despite his injuries, he finds quiet strength in work and remains a steady, loyal presence on Drogheda.

Patrick Cleary Character Timeline in The Thorn Birds

The timeline below shows where the character Patrick Cleary appears in The Thorn Birds. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Eventually, Fiona gives birth to twin boys, named James and Patrick, quickly shortened to Jims and Patsy. Though Fiona nurses them, she shows little interest beyond... (full context)

...for Frank. Meanwhile, Meggie starts to resent Fiona, sensing Fiona’s growing detachment from Jims and Patsy, leaving much of their care to Mrs. Smith. Though Meggie understands Fiona’s grief, she vows... (full context)

...rain, the drought returns and dries the tall grass into silver, brittle tinder. Jims and Patsy, still at home, chatter about the boarding school they will attend. The thought of them... (full context)

...the sheep alive, and Meggie offers to help by riding the paddocks. Additionally, Jims and Patsy have left school to work at Drogheda full-time. (full context)

Ambition and Personal Sacrifice Theme Icon

...plays the Prime Minister’s somber words, the family listens in silence. Jack, Hughie, Jims, and Patsy all immediately want to enlist. However, Bob acts as the voice of reason. He reminds... (full context)

...to volunteer first, but Bob points out that as the least experienced stockmen, Jims and Patsy are the logical choices. Though they are only 16, the twins insist they will look... (full context)

...about actual combat, he falls silent. No one presses them, sensing that whatever he and Patsy have seen cannot be spoken aloud. (full context)

While Ralph is making quiet bargains in Rome, Jims and Patsy are shipped from the deserts of North Africa to the jungles of New Guinea. They... (full context)

...grass dries underfoot, and the jungle seems for once beautiful instead of oppressive. Jims and Patsy wander together through the fields outside the town, breathing in air that reminds them achingly... (full context)

A sudden burst of machine gun fire shatters the illusion. Jims watches in horror as Patsy spins under the impact, his shorts turning crimson from waist to knees. For a moment,... (full context)

At the field hospital, a medic delivers the verdict. Patsy has been incredibly lucky—none of the bullets struck his stomach or bladder, and his vital... (full context)

Patsy is flown out of New Guinea, and Mrs. Smith and Fiona hurry to Sydney to... (full context)

...of El Alamein turns the tide against Rommel, and the Allies advance. Although Jims misses Patsy desperately, he finds strength in remembering their bond, and the thought of home sustains him.... (full context)

...fighting desperate rearguard actions to cover the withdrawal. When Jims finally returns home on leave, Patsy is waiting for him. Though damaged, Patsy has never looked better to his brother, and... (full context)

Jims and Patsy ride the paddocks together, rediscovering the peace they once knew. They take Dane along on... (full context)

Drogheda holds parties for Jims and Patsy, and though the women and girls of Gilly flock to their sides, the twins shy... (full context)

...the drought over, the family quickly moves to restore Drogheda’s operations. Bob, Jack, Hughie, and Patsy head out to the paddocks to plan the station’s restocking. Meggie prepares to hang up... (full context)

...shy and isolated, and the war stole even more from them. As for Jims and Patsy, they are too attached to each other to marry anyone else. Anne says the Clearys... (full context)

In early May, the Clearys begin their journey to Rome. Meggie, Jims, Patsy, and Anne Mueller travel together, joined later by Justine, who flies in from London. The... (full context)

...of a restaurant overlooking the Tiber. Toasts are made. Meggie glows with pride. Jims and Patsy, usually shy in crowds, speak freely. Ralph remains quiet for much of the evening, but... (full context)