IVY DAYIN THECOMMITTEEROOM

By Connor Ericson and Jennifer Akosa

Preliminary• What is Ivy Day? 

• The anniversary of the death of  the 19th century Irish politician Charles Parnell regarded for his achievement of Home Rule, as opposed to submission to foreign rulers.

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.03648

• German Mornarch/ Edward Rex • The German monarch at this time included Edward Rex, better known as King Edward VII. He ruled over Ireland and Great Britain during the early 1900s.

• Hynes: “The working-man is not going to drag the honor   of Dublin in the mud to please a German monarch.” (123)

• Nationalist • Henchy and O'Connor work for the Nationalist candidate named Tierney. This party stood for Irish Independence

• O’Connor: "Our man won't vote for the address...He goes in on the Nationalist ticket.”(123)

• The Conservatives, however, desired to remain tied to England

• Castle Hacks: Spies/Informants

http://bbc.uk

Plot• Old Jack and Mat O’Connor sit

by a fire in the Nationalist Party committee room and discuss Old Jack’s misguided, unruly 19 year old son

• John Henchy then enters and discusses business with O’Connor before also expressing dissatisfaction with Tierney

• Joe Hynes enters and begins to discuss politics with the two men, casting aspersions on Richard Tierney, and praising the deceased ruler, Parnell (calls Tierney “Tricky Dicky Tierney”)

• After Hynes leaves, Henchy tells O’Connor that he thinks Hynes is spying on them for the other candidate, Colgan

• Father Keon then enters, but quickly leaves in search of Mr. Fanning (business matter)

• Henchy explains to O’Connor and Old Jack that the Father is considered a “black sheep” and isn’t tied to any specific church or institution

Plot• Henchy then moves the

conversation back to politics, saying he wishes he could be a city father so that he could have corrupt politicians pay him for his vote

• Two more canvassers enter, Lyons and Crofton, and the 5 begin to debate whether they should receive the foreign king, Edward, warmly or not

• Shortly after a teenage boy arrives with drinks and, after getting a corkscrew, the three drink and Henchy discusses the work he did that day

• Henchy says the coming of the king will bring money to Dublin and therefore benefit the city but others disagree

Conversation moves to the deceased leader Parnell, who is respected by all now that he is dead

• Hynes is spotted in the doorway, is asked to enter and told to read the piece he wrote about Parnell

• After reciting it he receives applause from everyone in the room

Setting Nationalist Party committee room on Wicklow Street

Raining, cold, dark and dismal outside

“The walls of the room were bare except for a copy of an election address. In the middle of the room was a small table on which papers were heaped.” (122) Plain and business-oriented

Paints another depressing, dark picture of Dublin

Characters Old Jack

Caretaker of the committee room

Described as a bony, hairy, old looking man

Struggling to control his drunk 19 year old son

Feels that, “…the working class should be represented…” and therefore dislikes Tierney (123)

Generally quiet throughout the story

Mat O’Connor “…a grey-haired young man, whose

face was disfigured by many blotches and pimples…” (119)

Canvasser for Richard Tierney Upset about not getting paid by Tierney

yet “I hope to God he’ll not leave us in the

lurch to-night.” (122)

Wears ivy leaf to commemorate passing of Parnell

Initially sympathetic toward Tierney, but realizes the corrupt nature of the man throughout the story “Our man won’t vote for the address…

He goes on the Nationalist ticket.” (123)

“There’s some deal on in that quarter…I saw the three of them hard at it yesterday at Suffolk Street corner.” (129)

Characters Joe Hynes

“He was a tall slender young man with a light brown moustache.” (121)

Wears ivy leaf to commemorate Parnell Expresses dissatisfaction with Tierney,

calling him, “Tricky Dicky Tierney” (123)

Favors working class candidate Colgan “The working man is not going to drag

the honour of Dublin in the mud to please a German monarch.” (123)

Suspected of being a spy for another camp by Henchy

Strong supporter of former ruler Parnell “He fell as fall the mighty ones,/ Nobly

undaunted to the last,/ And death has now united him/ With Erin heroes of the past.” (137)

John Henchy Described as a, “bustling little

man” (123) Highly critical of Tierney’s tactics

“O, he’s as tricky as they make ‘em…” (124)

“You must owe the City Fathers money nowadays if you want to be made Lord Mayor. Then they’ll make make you Lord Mayor.” (129)

Suspicious of Hynes’ motives, despite O’Connor’s insistence that he is a good man

Opinion of Tierney changes quickly once the beer arrives “Ah, well, he’s not so bad after

all. He’s as good as his word, anyhow.” (130)

Minor Characters Teenage Boy

Brings the men drinks, retrieves the corkscrew, and drinks a bottle of beer despite being underage

Father Keon enters but then quickly leaves to seek out Fanning and discuss a business matter

Mr. Fanning Associate of Tierney

Crofton conservative canvasser working for Tierney after conservative party withdrew their

man from the race Considers himself above everyone else because he is a conservative

Lyons Young, frail canvasser for Tierney

Themes Corruption

The men make it clear that they are canvassing for the money Henchy is suspicious of Hynes and says he thinks he is spying for Colgan Father Keon says he needs to attend to a business matter with Mr. Fanning Henchy thinks Tierney is bribing people to get their votes

Alcohol Men long for alcohol throughout the entire story Henchy says, “I asked that little shoeboy (Tierney) three times…would he send up a dozen of

stout.” (128-129) Show more concern for their drinks than for Tierney

Disappointment Old Jack is disappointed in the way his son has been raised All men are disappointed at the state of politics in Dublin and disappointed that their former

leader Parnell has died

CONFLICT

The Nationalist politicians are waiting for their payment from Politician Tierney in a room with men of an opposing party and opposing views in general (as far as we know, they had not received the money even up until the end) Opposition:

“O he's as tricky as they make 'em," said Mr. Henchy. "He hasn't got those little pigs' eyes for nothing. Blast his soul!” (124).

“The Death of Parnell”

1 He is dead. Our Uncrowned King is dead. O, Erin, mourn with grief and woe For he lies dead whom the fell gang Of modern hypocrites laid low. He lies slain by the coward hounds

8 He fell as fall the mighty ones, Nobly undaunted to the last,

And death has now united him With Erin's heroes of the past.

11 The day that brings us Freedom's reign. And on that day may Erin well Pledge in the cup she lifts to Joy One grief—the memory of Parnell.

CLIMAX

• “Mr. Hynes did not seem to remember at once the piece to which they were alluding,…” (136)

“Mr. Hynes hesitated a little longer. Then amid the silence he took off his hat, laid it on the table and stood up. He seemed to be rehearsing the piece in his mind” (136)

Joe Hynes reads his poem entitled “The Death of Parnell”

Possible Castle Hack

VIncompetent Politician

Hynes finishes reading the poem and the men each take the briefest moment of silence to think. The contentious atmosphere instantly begins

to dissipate. “When he had finished his recertification there

was a silence and then a burst of clapping: even Mr. Lyons clap.” (138).

TURNING POINT

SYMBOLISM

The Priest (Father Keon) “The unholy mixture of religion and politics

in Ireland.” (Fairhall 90) Stood in the doorway, not daring to come in.

“No, no, no!” (127).

The Late Charles Stuart Parnell; Ivy sprig worn on lapels “Mr. Hynes took off his hat, shook it and then

turned down the collar of his coat, displaying, as he did so, an ivy leaf in the lapel” (123)

The death of Ireland’s chances for restoration; Home Rule/Irish Independence

I R O N Y

All corrupt hypocrites; Most of time is spent criticizing others. When one man leaves the room, they immediately begin to gossip

about him “[They denounce] political institutions in general and a wide range of

political figures from Edward VII to Tierney himself in particular” (Gillepsie, 113)

Charles Parnell is a hero and idealized by all canvassers present; however he did NOT die a noble death. Hynes: “If this man was alive," he said, pointing to the leaf, "we'd

have no talk of an address of welcome.” (123) Old Jack: “Musha, God be with them times!...There was some life in it

then.”(123)“He lies slain by the coward hounds He raised to glory from the mire”(136) His death was not the end of all good, but the beginning of corruption

as he had cheated on his wife for several years before dying The title: “Ivy Day”!… “in the Committee Room”?

This day was meant to be a day of Celebration and rallying; however, “their actual efforts to secure votes often consist of little more than sitting by the fire all day.”(Gillepsie 113)

Tierney (TYRANNY) is the leader of the Irish Independence order. Things could not be more out of order; on top of everything, Tierney

never even showed up!

Relation to other storiesThe Sisters

Father Keon and Father Flynn were both questionable religious figures Father Flynn had lost his mind and couldn’t handle the

duties required by priesthood

Father Keon was considered a “black sheep”-he had no connection with any specific church or institution

“The Sisters” & “Ivy Day”OLD COTTER

having "little beady black eyes” (2)

Stunted conversation between Old Cotter and uncle Jack "let a young lad run about

and play with young lads of his own age and not be…” (3)

OLD JACK

 “moist blue eyes blinked at the fire” (119)

Continuing Conversation between Old Jack and Mr. O’Connor  “Ah yes, it's hard to know

what way to bring up children. Now who'd think he'd turn out like that! I sent him to the Christian Brothers and I done what I could for him, and there he goes boorsing about.” (120) Allusion?

Christian Brothers to Father Rourke/Father Flynn.

**Old Cotter did not approve of the relationship between the fairly young narrator and the priest.

“No, I wouldn't say he was exactly... but there was something queer... there was something uncanny about him. I'll tell you my opinion….” (2)

Relation to other stories Two Gallants

Corrupting power of money Corley uses a woman to get money from her employer

O’Connor, Henchy, Lyons, and Crofton work to secure votes for Tierney, even though they don’t particularly like him

A Little Cloud Continuous disappointment

Little Chandler is disappointed that he is stuck where he is: He wishes he could be out of Dublin, getting more out of his life

All the men in this novel are constantly disappointed—they are disappointed with the state of politics in Dublin, the fact that their once great leader is deceased, and in the short term are upset that they don’t have drinks or money from Tierney

PARALYSIS

Since the very beginning of the book, Old Cotter/Old Jack has been sitting by the fire.

Old Cotter as “sitting at the fire, smoking” (1)

"OLD JACK raked the cinders together with a piece of cardboard and...he set himself to fan the fire again” Rarely moves, almost as if

he suffers from actual paralysis.

“stumbling about the room” (121)

“stagnant”, unable to change

PARALYSIS POLITICS

“The Death of Parnell”

Stanza 8• End of an honest Ireland. • Ireland is STUCK

• No one capable of restoring Ireland to her former glory.

• Corruption has prevailed, and will continue to prevail due to the endless cycle of paralysis

• INACTION: The fate of Ireland A bunch of grown men sitting around all day gossiping and drinking stout? “The men freely admit that their personal political views cover a broad spectrum, and that they’re motivated by little more than the promise of financial gain.”(Gillepsie, 113)

Independence? Not likely!

8 He fell as fall the mighty ones, Nobly undaunted to the last,

And death has now united him With Erin's heroes of the past.

PARALYSIS

Gnomon Wages

“Anyway, I wish he’d [Tierney] turn up with the spondulics” (123)

Like the politicians waiting for money, Ireland is waiting on something that will never come

Fire “A denuded roomcame into

view and the fire lost its cheerful colour.” (122) Prententious nature; Politics:

missing Sincerity

Simony

The Priest (Father Keon)

“The unholy mixture of religion and politics in Ireland.” (Fairhall 90)

Discussion Questions

1. Based on what we know of Dublin at the time, do you think it would be beneficial to greet the foreign king warmly?

2. How do you think the men would have reacted if Tierney won the race? What would they have done?

3. Do you think Hynes is spying for Colgan (Castle Hack) or do you believe that he is a good man who merely likes to discuss politics?

Fairhall, James. "Colgan-Connolly: Another Look at the Politics of "Ivy Day in the Committee Room"" JSTOR. N.p., 1988. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.

 Fargnoli, A. Nicholas., and Michael Patrick. Gillespie. James Joyce A to Z: The Essential Reference to the Life and Work. New York: Facts on File, 1995. Print.

 Gifford, Don, and Donald E. Morse. Zones of Re-membering: Time, Memory, and (un)consciousness. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2011. Print.