In this MA thesis I aim to look especially at one specific group of Irish immigrants from the many that took the crossing, namely nineteenth-century young Irish women who found work as servants in the New World. These girls and women encountered many hardships. As explained in the previous section, they were dislocated, and thus vulnerable to abuse and loneliness.
Of course, there are many ways in which this segment of Irish immigrants can be analyzed. It can be done by looking at historic documents, photographs or the occasional letters which were written. Yet, the way in which I shall analyze this group is through the use of three novels that deal with the Irish immigrant servant girl as a protagonist. The novels studied will be two novels from the latter half of the nineteenth century and one contemporary novel, which will give very diverse perspectives. The modern novel is looking back on an era and thus manages to put the immigration of the Famine and post Famine generation into a modern perspective while the novels written in the latter half of the nineteenth century present the view of the writers and people back then. The novels that will be used for this study are Mary Anne Madden Sadlier’s novel Bessy Conway; or, the Irish girl in America (1862), John McElgun’s Annie Reilly: The Fortunes of an Irish Girl in New York (1873) and Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace (1996).
Table of Contents
- Introduction: “Far at sea”
- The “Devine Providence”: The Irish Servant Girl and Religion
- “Morning makes you look prettier”: The Irish Servant Girl and Gender
- Reinforcing Stereotypes: The Irish Servant Girl, Class and Ethnicity
- Conclusion: “Success, slow but sure”
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis analyzes the portrayal of Irish immigrant servant women in novels by Sadlier, McElgunn, and Atwood. It aims to deconstruct the "strong Irish immigrant servant woman" myth by examining how these novels represent religion, gender, class, and ethnicity in shaping the experiences and identities of these women.
- The construction and deconstruction of the "strong Irish immigrant servant woman" myth.
- The role of religion in the lives and experiences of Irish immigrant servant women.
- The intersection of gender, class, and ethnicity in shaping the portrayal of Irish immigrant servant women.
- Analysis of literary representations of Irish immigration and the challenges faced by women.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: “Far at sea”: This chapter sets the historical context for the thesis, exploring the complex history of Ireland and its impact on Irish emigration. It highlights the struggles faced by Irish immigrants, particularly women, and introduces the concept of the "strong Irish immigrant servant woman" as a prevalent but potentially misleading trope. The chapter uses historical accounts and literary analysis to establish the need for a critical examination of the novels under study, emphasizing how the immigrant experience was shaped by poverty, political oppression and religious persecution.
The “Devine Providence”: The Irish Servant Girl and Religion: This chapter delves into the significance of religion in the lives of Irish immigrant servant women. It explores how religious beliefs and practices shaped their coping mechanisms, community building, and social interactions within a new and often hostile environment. It examines the ways in which religion served both as a source of strength and solace and as a potential constraint or source of conflict. The analysis might look at how religious institutions provided support or how religious expectations influenced their lives.
“Morning makes you look prettier”: The Irish Servant Girl and Gender: This chapter analyzes the complexities of gender roles and expectations as they intersect with the experiences of Irish immigrant servant women. It examines how societal norms and expectations shaped their opportunities, challenges, and social identities. The chapter likely explores themes of female resilience, the limitations imposed by patriarchal structures, and the ways in which women navigated gendered power dynamics in their new society. It may look at the role of domestic labor, motherhood, and other gendered expectations in their narratives.
Reinforcing Stereotypes: The Irish Servant Girl, Class and Ethnicity: This chapter focuses on the ways in which class and ethnicity intersected to shape the experiences and perceptions of Irish immigrant servant women. It analyzes how stereotypes and prejudices affected their social mobility, employment opportunities, and social integration. The chapter examines the ways in which these women challenged or reinforced existing societal hierarchies and norms, exploring the complexities of class mobility and the persistence of ethnic discrimination. It may consider how their background and socio-economic circumstances were perceived and how these perceptions impacted their lives.
Keywords
Irish immigrant women, servant girls, religion, gender, class, ethnicity, stereotypes, literature, historical context, immigration, cultural identity, social mobility, novels, Sadlier, McElgunn, Atwood.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Irish Immigrant Servant Women in Literature
What is the main focus of this academic analysis?
This thesis analyzes how Irish immigrant servant women are portrayed in novels by Sadlier, McElgunn, and Atwood. It aims to deconstruct the common "strong Irish immigrant servant woman" stereotype by examining how these novels represent religion, gender, class, and ethnicity in shaping the lives and identities of these women.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores several key themes including: the construction and deconstruction of the "strong Irish immigrant servant woman" myth; the role of religion in the lives of these women; the intersection of gender, class, and ethnicity in shaping their portrayal; and a broader analysis of literary representations of Irish immigration and the challenges faced by women.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters: an introduction setting the historical context; a chapter focusing on the role of religion; a chapter examining the impact of gender; a chapter exploring the intersection of class and ethnicity; and a concluding chapter. Each chapter provides a detailed summary and analysis relevant to its specific theme.
What historical context is considered?
The introduction establishes the historical context by exploring the complex history of Ireland and its impact on Irish emigration. It highlights the struggles faced by Irish immigrants, particularly women, and introduces the "strong Irish immigrant servant woman" trope as a potentially misleading simplification of a complex reality shaped by poverty, political oppression, and religious persecution.
How does the analysis address religion's role?
The chapter on religion delves into its significance in the lives of Irish immigrant servant women, exploring how religious beliefs and practices shaped their coping mechanisms, community building, and social interactions in a new and often hostile environment. It examines religion as both a source of strength and solace and a potential constraint or source of conflict.
What is the significance of the chapter on gender?
The chapter on gender analyzes the complexities of gender roles and expectations as they intersect with the experiences of these women. It examines how societal norms shaped their opportunities, challenges, and social identities, exploring themes of female resilience, limitations imposed by patriarchal structures, and how women navigated gendered power dynamics.
How does the analysis consider class and ethnicity?
The chapter on class and ethnicity focuses on how these factors intersected to shape the experiences and perceptions of Irish immigrant servant women. It analyzes how stereotypes and prejudices affected their social mobility, employment opportunities, and social integration, exploring the complexities of class mobility and the persistence of ethnic discrimination.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Irish immigrant women, servant girls, religion, gender, class, ethnicity, stereotypes, literature, historical context, immigration, cultural identity, social mobility, novels, Sadlier, McElgunn, Atwood.
What are the overall conclusions of this analysis?
The conclusion summarizes the findings, drawing together the insights from each chapter to provide a comprehensive understanding of the portrayal of Irish immigrant servant women in the chosen novels and how these portrayals may reinforce or challenge existing stereotypes. It aims to offer a nuanced perspective on their experiences.
- Citar trabajo
- Rosamaria Giammanco (Autor), 2006, The Myth of The Strong Irish Immigrant Servant Woman, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/274106
