Bernard Shaw, Sean O’Casey, and the Dead James Connolly

Description

This book details the Irish socialistic tracks pursued by Bernard Shaw and Sean O’Casey, mostly after 1916, that were arguably impacted by the executed James Connolly. The historical context is carefully unearthed, stretching from its 1894 roots via W. B. Yeats’ dream of Shaw as a menacing, yet grinning sewing machine, to Shaw’s and O’Casey’s 1928 masterworks. In the process, Shaw’s War Issues for Irishmen, Annajanska, the Bolshevik Empress, The Tragedy of an Elderly Gentleman, Saint Joan, The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism and Capitalism, and O’Casey’s The Story of the Irish Citizen Army, The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock, The Plough and the Stars, and The Silver Tassie are reconsidered, revealing previously undiscovered textures to the masterworks. All of which provides a rethinking, a reconsideration of Ireland’s great drama of the 1920s, as well as furthering the knowledge of Shaw, O’Casey, and Connolly. Acknowledgements Contents About the Author 1 Introduction References 2 Shaw, O’Casey, Connolly: Stitching the Foundation, 1890s–1915 Enter O’Casey Lockout O’Casey and the ICA War ITGWU Maneuvering Labour Theatre Connolly, the ICA, Anti-Recruitment Shaw, O’Flaherty, V. C. References 3 Revolutions 1916/1917: Lynd, War Issues, the ITGWU Revolution I Remembering Connolly Revolution: II Irish Repercussions References 4 Shaw’s Elderly Gentleman, O’Casey’s Trilogy Begins: Larkin/O’Brien 1919 1920s Burrin Pier War for Independence Yeats Changing Flags The Trilogy Begins References 5 Shaw’s Saint Joan: Martyred Vision History The Play The Irish Element Rehabilitation References 6 The Plough and the Stars: The Lost Workers’ Republic The Play Acts III and IV The Opening Run’s Epilogue References 7 The Intelligent Woman’s Guide, The Silver Tassie, and The Re-Conquest The Guide Revolution, Government, and International Socialism Trade Unions Women The Silver Tassie Rejection References Epilogue Index