(McNeil) Through Joyce's Eyes

James Joyce was born into a Catholic, middle class family in a suburb outside of the main city of Dublin in 1882.  Throughout the Dubliners we get a sense that the stories are a reflection of what Joyce might have seen growing up.  During the late ninetength century and early twentith century, the political scene was intense.  The British versus the Irish, Ireland seeking independence from Great Britian.  The nationalist front runner, Charles Parnell (1870s), had revamped Irish politics with his Home Rule Bill, which sought to give Ireland a louder voice in British government.  Parnell was highly liked by the Irish for his support of land ownership and anti-British views.  Both Ireland and England were shocked when word gave of the affair Parnell was having with another policitical opponets wife.  Sadly his career never recovered from the scandal and he then passed in 1891.

In "Ivy Day in the Committe Room" Charles Parnell and Dubliners mixed feelings towards him is the focus of this story.  Ivy Day is an Irish Holiday set to commemorate the death of Parnell in 1891.  Richard Tierney, a current canidate for the election of Lord Mayor is watchful eye of the other men in the pub.  Some of the voters believe that he is sympathetic to the British even though he is running as an Irish Nationalist.  The skepticism in the characters is a reference to Irish Politics and how Dubliners are inconsistent with their beliefs of who they can trust.  Where the characters are gathered is significant because the "Committe Room" is where in 1890, Irish political figures chose not to back Parnell.  Though Parnell was liked, after the scandal broke many Irish were left feeling a sense of betrayal.  The story foreshadows that what happens in the past can reflect the future, leaving the Irish lost and confused when it comes to their own political views.