Dubliners

Ivy Day in the Committee Room

Ivy Day in the Committee Room: Summary

The story revolves around a group of men discussing politics, their struggles, and personal experiences in a committee room. They also reflect on the death of the Irish political leader Parnell.

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Overview & Analysis

"Ivy Day in the Committee Room" is a story set in a committee room in Dublin where canvassers for an election are discussing politics, the state of the nation, and the memory of Charles Stewart Parnell, an Irish nationalist leader. It showcases the hypocrisy, corruption, and disillusionment that has permeated Irish society and politics.

The characters include Old Jack, the caretaker, and Mr. O'Connor, Mr. Henchy, and Mr. Lyons, who are canvassers for Mr. Richard J. Tierney, a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections. They express their frustration with their candidate's stinginess, and discuss the current political affairs, particularly the scheduled visit of the King of England and the address of welcome that he is to receive, which some oppose vehemently.

The story is primarily a dialogue, with the characters expressing their thoughts and feelings about the political situation, their disillusionment with the current state of affairs, their frustration with their candidate's stinginess, and their nostalgia for Parnell. The story is also a critique of the political situation in Ireland, with the canvassers representing the disillusioned and cynical common man, frustrated with the hypocrisy and corruption of the political system.

The eponymous "Ivy Day" is the anniversary of Parnell's death, and the characters express their admiration for him, as well as their disappointment in the current state of Irish politics. Parnell symbolizes the lost cause of Irish nationalism and the bitter disillusionment that follows failed leadership. His memory and the nostalgia associated with it serves as a stark contrast to the characters' current political reality.

This contrast is reinforced by the character Mr. Hynes, who enters late in the story. He offers a recitation, which is a patriotic tribute to Parnell, bemoaning his loss and the downfall of the country since his departure. The characters respond with applause and a shared moment of silence, but even this moment of unity is fleeting and hollow, marred by the characters' overriding concern for their own self-interests.

A key moment of epiphany comes with the arrival of the bottles of stout, which the characters drink in silence. This moment symbolizes their shared disillusionment and frustration, and the hollow nature of their camaraderie. Even as they toast to Parnell and their shared nostalgia, they are bound more by their shared frustrations and disillusionment than by any real sense of unity or shared purpose.

In conclusion, James Joyce's "Ivy Day in the Committee Room" offers an incisive commentary on the state of Irish politics during this period. It explores themes of disillusionment, hypocrisy, corruption, and the power of nostalgia. Joyce's in-depth portrayal of his characters and their conversations provide an intricate look into the complexities of Irish political and social life, and the difficult realities faced by its people. Despite the apparent cynicism and disillusionment, however, the story also subtly highlights the resilience and endurance of the Irish spirit, as represented by the characters' shared recollections, their casual banter, and their ability to endure despite their frustrations and disappointments.

Characters