Ivy Day in the Committee Room by James Joyce
"Ivy Day in the Committee Room" is a short story by James Joyce set in Dublin on the anniversary of the death of Charles Stuart Parnell, a significant figure in the Irish struggle for self-governance. The narrative unfolds in a dimly lit election committee room on a rainy autumn afternoon, where a group of canvassers gather to discuss local politics and their candidate, "Tricky Dicky Tierney." As the story progresses, the dynamics among the canvassers reveal a mix of cynicism and camaraderie, underscored by the arrival of stout, which boosts their enthusiasm for Tierney. The presence of an ivy leaf worn by one of the canvassers serves as a poignant reminder of Parnell's legacy, leading to reflections on his character and the political landscape of Ireland. The story captures a blend of nostalgia and critique as the characters grapple with the implications of Parnell's fall from grace and the nature of political loyalty. Joyce's work highlights themes of memory, politics, and community, providing insights into the complexities of Irish identity and history. This rich interplay of dialogue and character reveals the subtleties of political discourse during a pivotal moment in Irish history.
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Ivy Day in the Committee Room by James Joyce
First published: 1914
Type of plot: Satire
Time of work: The early nineteenth century
Locale: Dublin
Principal Characters:
Mr. Hynes , a journalistMr. Henchy , a canvasser for the local Nationalist election candidateMr. O'Connor , another canvasser for the local Nationalist election candidateMr. Crofton , a Conservative canvasser for the local Nationalist election candidateJack , the caretaker of the committee room
The Story
There is much more talk than action in "Ivy Day in the Committee Room." On a rainy autumn afternoon, election canvassers drift in from the Dublin streets to warm themselves around a meager fire in the election committee room. As the story begins, there are only two people in the dimly lit room: Jack, the old caretaker of the committee room, complains to O'Connor, one of the canvassers, about his uncontrollable, ne'er-do-well son. Jack falls silent, however, as other canvassers join them, and the conversation turns to local politics. Their candidate is "Tricky Dicky Tierney," and they discuss him and his cronies, as well as one another, with varying degrees of cynicism. Another topic of keen interest is the likelihood of Tierney buying them a round of stout.
When the stout does, indeed, arrive, they become more enthusiastic in their support of Tierney. Henchy, one of the canvassers, defends Tierney's willingness to welcome a visit from King Edward VII. This discussion inevitably leads these Dubliners to the subject of Charles Stuart Parnell, the great Irish political leader who led the fight for Home Rule, meaning Irish self-government, until his fall from power and his death shortly thereafter, on October 6, 1891. The story takes place on October 6, some years later. O'Connor wears an ivy leaf in his lapel to commemorate Parnell's death.
Parnell's involvement in a divorce case led to his fall from power, and the men argue briefly about his character, but they are soon praising him with an odd mixture of sincerity and cynicism: "We all respect him now that he's dead and gone—even the Conservatives." Henchy asks the journalist among them, Hynes, to recite his poem "The Death of Parnell." After a long silence, Hynes does so. His poem condemns the politicians and Catholic priests who contributed to Parnell's downfall. The canvassers are greatly moved by this recital, except the Conservative, Crofton, who compliments it carefully as "a very fine piece of writing."