Content Category
Literary Criticism
Abstract/Description
This essay takes a further look into Parnell’s influence on James Joyce, specifically in the short story “The Boarding House” by Joyce, published in Dublin, Ireland in 1914. Many scholars assert that Charles Stewart Parnell greatly influenced Joyce’s work, but none apply Parnell’s influence to this story. I assert that this story models Joyce’s admiration for Parnell and creates Mrs. Mooney as his foil. In order to come to this conclusion, I studied the works of other scholars and what they say concerning Parnell’s influence on James Joyce; I researched Parnell’s role in the Irish government; and I closely analyzed the text of the “The Boarding House.” Ultimately, this story tells the tale of Parnell’s foil. While “The Boarding House” appears to be a story of a brothel, it truly tells of The English House of Commons and the politicians that work there. The first indication that “The Boarding House” contains a political statement is the judicial jargon used throughout the story. When further delved into, this vocabulary reveals greater symbolism weaved into the story. Polly and Doran signify the Irish people. Mrs. Mooney stands as Parnell’s counterpart. In the end, Ireland betrayed Parnell. In opposition to that, Mrs. Mooney maintains her power. The people of Ireland punish themselves with the leaders they choose. “The Boarding House” shows Joyce’s disgust in the Irish society for the loss of Parnell.
Keywords: Charles Parnell, James Joyce, Irish government, “Boarding House”
Copyright and Licensing of My Content
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Origin of Submission
as part of a class
Faculty Involvement
Jarica Watts
Parnell in "The Boarding House"
This essay takes a further look into Parnell’s influence on James Joyce, specifically in the short story “The Boarding House” by Joyce, published in Dublin, Ireland in 1914. Many scholars assert that Charles Stewart Parnell greatly influenced Joyce’s work, but none apply Parnell’s influence to this story. I assert that this story models Joyce’s admiration for Parnell and creates Mrs. Mooney as his foil. In order to come to this conclusion, I studied the works of other scholars and what they say concerning Parnell’s influence on James Joyce; I researched Parnell’s role in the Irish government; and I closely analyzed the text of the “The Boarding House.” Ultimately, this story tells the tale of Parnell’s foil. While “The Boarding House” appears to be a story of a brothel, it truly tells of The English House of Commons and the politicians that work there. The first indication that “The Boarding House” contains a political statement is the judicial jargon used throughout the story. When further delved into, this vocabulary reveals greater symbolism weaved into the story. Polly and Doran signify the Irish people. Mrs. Mooney stands as Parnell’s counterpart. In the end, Ireland betrayed Parnell. In opposition to that, Mrs. Mooney maintains her power. The people of Ireland punish themselves with the leaders they choose. “The Boarding House” shows Joyce’s disgust in the Irish society for the loss of Parnell.
Keywords: Charles Parnell, James Joyce, Irish government, “Boarding House”