Kilmainham Gaol
Analyse how the Irish public reacts when the rebels are put in prison.
I think they were shocked and angry and maybe they abandoned hope of independency a little bit because there are not just normal rebels put in prison but also important leaders.
Outline how General Maxwell and the British treat their prisoners, and note down who is executed at what date.
p. 142 l. 23 “Let’s have a look at the animals.”
p. 142 l. 24 “ A lit match was pushed into my face.” -> brutal
p. 144 l. 05 “ The rifle butt went into my back.”
p. 144 l. 8-9 “ They struck and lashed till I was numb.”
p. 146 l. 06 “ In English, you bastard.”
o3.05. Pearse, Clarke and MacDonagh were shot
James Connolly
Biography
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Born on June 5 1868 in Edinburgh, Scotland and went to St Patricks School in the Cowgate
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In 1882 he joined the British Army when he was 14 years old
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While serving in Ireland, he met his future wife named Lillie Reynolds
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Connolly discharged himself from the British Army and went back to Scotland
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He became active in Socialist and founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party in 1896
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Connolly published articles to attack The Irish Volunteers
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IRB decided to take James Connolly into their confidence (Irish Republican Brotherhood)
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He took part in the preparation for a rising
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He was in command of the Republican HQ at the GPO during Easter Week
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On May 12, James Connolly was executed by firing- squad
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He was one of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation
Questions we would ask him
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What was it like to serve in the British Army with 14 years? Were there people in your age? Was is normal to serve in the army so young?
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Why did you discharge yourself from the British Army?
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Why did you publish articles to attack The Irish Volunteers?
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Why did the IRB decide to take you into their confidence?
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Was it difficult to found the Irish Socialist Republican Party?
Why was James Connolly so important for Ireland?
At first we’d like to mention that he first fought for Britain but when he married an Irish woman he went back to Britain and later back to Ireland and also fought for Ireland in the Easter Rising. He was an British man who advocated for Ireland although Ireland was much weaker than Britain in this time. That makes him special and very important for Ireland.
We think that you could make a film of his story, because the way his view about Britain and Ireland changed is very special and during the film you would get to know how poor and weak Ireland was and how cruel Britain was to them. Of course you can write a book about him too, but it would be better to make a film so that you can show the shocking and cruel facts better than in a book. Besides, it would be good stuff for a film because it connects a love story and cruel facts.
chapters 1&2
What is the argument about the two Henry’s names actually about? In what way does the outcome prove to be fatal both for the couple and the family as a whole?
Henry was the “Glowing Baby” and he finally needs a name after getting the pseudo name “Cecil” to be allowed to get baptised. His father proposes to name him “Henry” like he and an earlier child were called. Maybe he likes the idea to have an –alive- offspring who has his name.
But Melody doesn’t want a “new” Henry. Perhaps she has as mother a stronger relationship to the “first Henry” – even when he is dead.
After all she is the one who carried the child for nine months close to her heart. She noticed when the child was moving. When Henry kicked.
It is comprehensible that a mother does not want that a child gets replace by a new one. Her first little son would lose his identity – although he is dead. But he will always be Melody’s son “Henry”.
Henry Senior does not understand how his wife feels and thinks. He achieves that the child is named “Henry”.
This decision isn’t good for the relationship between Melody and Henry. I think, Melody feels very hurt by her husband and a real “family” never exists.
They have a son who will never be called by his name. So the “new Henry” can’t get an own identity and never feels real love from his mother.
before, during, after the birth
Melody
Before Henry’s birth
She is nervous because she has already lost children but she also hopes that this son will survive.
Emotions: 
& 
During the birth
The birth is stressful so Melody is tired and powerless but she wants to give birth to her son and wants to see him alive.
Emotions: &
After the birth
She is tired but also very happy because little Henry seems so alive and powerful.
Emotions:
Chapters 1&2
Even before being born the narrator tells the story of how his parents met and recounts the events preceding his birth. Have a close look at pp. 10-25, collect information on the following aspects and be particularly aware of the way the narrator presents his and his parents’ story.
Aspect to focus on
His mother’s name
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
At first: the very decision to name the woman “Melody” implies that there would follow a beautiful and harmony woman.
As the reader you imagine a woman like the narrator describes how he had imagined: beautiful, happy, clever and a woman who has a great future. [p. 11 l. 2-6]. Unfortunately the name is the direct opposite of how Melody is and looks like.
Aspect to focus on
His grandmother’s origin
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
It seems like her origin was a better place. Indeed, nobody knows where she came from [p.9 l. 35] but she is described as a young and chastely country girl [p. 10 l. 5-7]. So she must had a sheltered home, I guess.
Aspect to focus on
Melody and Henry – love at first sight?
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
No, I don’t think that it was love at first sight. They met because of an accident [p- 11 l. 23-24]. At first Henry isn’t even interested in Melody_ he’s just groaning [p. 12 l. 6, 8, 10]. Also Melody isn’t interested in him at first. After a while she thinks that he isn’t bad looking [p. 11 l. 18]. Henry falls in love with her after hearing her name [p.11 l. 39]
Aspect to focus on
His mother’s looks
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
It is very sad to read how Melody looks like: ripped and solid hands, bad bones, eyes and skin, thin … [p. 13 l. 26-30]. That shows how poor the people were and what bad jobs they had to do – even as a young girl.
Aspect to focus on
His father’s leg
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
It’s a funny and mysterious aspect. Besides, it helps Melody and Henry to come together: During their first talking, Melody asks where his leg has gone [p 12 l. 3]. Nobody knows where Henry lost his leg. Maybe he doesn’t even know himself. But he tells a lot of stories where it could happened [p. 15 l. 16-20]. So it is a great mystery where the missing leg is.
Aspect to focus on
The wedding party
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
There was a party in Melody’s parents’ room on Bolton Street. It seems like a basic wedding: a few bottles and some music [p. 17 l. 16-17]. The other women scare her a bit when they tell something about the marriage, sex or when they ask her if she would get a baby now. Then a couple of moochers almost ruin Melody’s day but the guests banish them.
Aspect to focus on
57, Silver Alley
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
“A room of their own”
That’s probably the most important fact because it’s the first time that they have something on their own. In the following part is described what in their room is: window, walls, knives … [p. 20 l. 3-15]. Very simple objects. The reader notices that the both had to be very poor before when they now appreciate so simple things.
Costello is a man who’d call for the rent every Friday at six o’clock.
Aspect to focus on
The killing of Mr Costello
How is this aspect presented to the reader?
The killing was an experienced job for Henry like he did it many times before. Without any scruple he hits Costello and sharps the man’s neck. Henry even hums while killing the man.
How well do you know the novel?
- The address is No. 57, Silver Alley. They feel privileged to be living there because at their first time they have their own space and stuff and both are very glad about it.
- The nun wants that Henry calls her “mother” but he’s refusing. He isn’t religious and never heard of God or Jesus so he can’t understand why he should call this dame “mother”.
- The stories of Henry Smart are very important for him because he invents himself with them, like Dolly Oblong does. So both are a kind of mysterious e.g. nobody knows how and when Henry lost his leg.
- Henry and Melody experience a new kind of love when their little son is born and survives.
- She discovers it to the time of Henry’s birth.
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- They hide behind a bush and then they use the canalisation under the city and rivers to escape.
- Henry loves her smell of peppermint.
- She thinks it’s good for society to spend and take money. And that’s it what the people do at her house.
- She invents herself like him; she’s an attractive and successful woman; Henry thinks that she is the same person like Alfie Gandon and Henry adores Gandon so he adores Dolly, too.
- Little Henry is born on 8.10.1901 at 7:22 o’clock.
- Henry was considered to be the glowing baby because he seemed so fit and alive when he was born.
- Everyone knows his “taptap” and is afraid of. Besides, he has the correct figure for a bouncer although he has just one leg.
- He delivers the message “Alfie Gandon says hello” and one time “Alfie Gandon says goodbye”.
- After cutting the bodies into pieces he throws them in different rivers so they can’t wash in the same direction.
- It’s the first time that Henry leaves his house and he feels very comfortable in Dublin.
- King Edward VII visits Dublin in July of 1907. The previous visitor was Queen Victoria.
- They scream “Fuck off!”
- Henry smart finally loses his coat when he is attacked by the rozzers and has to escape.
- He regards himself and his brother as little princes of the streets because they know EVERY part of the city and could easily get money and food.
- They have just enough to survive but never so much that they could prosper.
- When Henry visits his mother to look after her and when he says that he sometimes brings her alcohol.
- At their first talking with Miss O’Shea they learn some Gaelic.
- Henry understands it better when he can imagine with examples. Miss O’Shea uses examples like dogs and their puppies or bottles.
- George V’s coronation is at Victor’s day of death.
- “The cough of the city” means the dirt, the sickness and poverty of Dublin. Henry refers to it when he thinks about Victor’s death.
- The British flag “Union Jack” is burned by Arthur Griffith and Constance Markievicz.
diary entry
The protagonist of the novel, Henry Smart is born in the Dublin slums in 1901. How do you imagine giving birth, feeding and raising children in poverty to have been like in those days? Create a diary entry of an Irish girl writing about her first month as a mother. (She’d probably have to dictate her account to someone because she is likely to be illiterate!)
Oooh, he’s born. Our little son is born. I’m so incredible happy.
His beautiful skin, his powerful voice, his soft hair … he seems to be so alive and strong.
I hope he’ll stay.
All these cruel diseases. My baby is at risk. I have to protect him!
As long as we have enough to eat and a house, it’s alright.
His dad just has to keep his job to be able to pay the rents.
But maybe it is the wrong food for our son. Maybe he needs more meat? And when I can’t offer meat? He will suffer.
Oh my god – my baby will starve!
No. He will survive! Even if I have to chop off my leg and cook it. He will survive.
No disease, no poverty – nothing! … will get my baby – my love will protect him.
And we have to save money! My child shall go to a good school. He’s clever, I can see it.
With a good education he will be able to live a such more comfortable and secure life.
Yeah, it’s a good plan.
My baby will be better off than we are.
Ireland as an invaded country to an independent one [own text]
The topic is “Ireland as an invaded country” and I will focus on the three main invasions of the Vikings, the Normans and the English and I will refer why/how these invasions started, how they proceeded and ceased.
The Vikings
They came in 759 from Norway and settled down at the coast.
For raids and attacks they moved to the interior of the country.
When the king of Dublin died the Vikings were unstable and they relocated to England and France. The king of Meath and the son of the king from Munster allied and wanted to fight again the Vikings.
Anyhow there were further attacks in 914 and 1169.
The Normans
They came in 1169 because they should help Dermot MacMurrough to fight for his kingdom and a wife. But they liked it so much that they stayed.
At any rate it was a more peaceful invasion because, unlike the Vikings, the Normans wanted collaboration with the Irish and not attack or domineer over them.
This invasion ended because of Irish rebellions.
The English
They came in 1155 with Henry II as leader because he should and wanted to reform the Irish.
Over the years they forced the Irish to accept a new culture, the culture of the English.
It was a weak invasion because the English had not so much might.
This invasion ended indirectly by the alliance with the Anglos.
Since 1921 26 of 32 counties of Ireland are independent from England [the latest “occupying force”] because of the Anglo-Irish-Treaty which resulted in the Anglo-Irish-War.
