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Star of the Sea : A Postcolonial/Postmodern Voyage into the Irish Famine Main Menu About This Project Star of the Sea Overview Joseph O'Connor In this section, you will learn more about Joseph O'Connor and the other works he produced Postcolonial Theory Postmodernism The Gothic in Star of the Sea Historical Figures Language and Music in Irish Culture Biology of the Famine Landlords, Tenants, and Evictions In the following pages, you'll learn about landlords, tenants, and evictions during the Irish Potato Famine Government Policies and Emigration Media Memorials Contributors Brief biographies of the people who made this book.

Emotional Connection to Land (Spoiler)

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In addition to abstract ideas being closely linked in connection with land, a physical and emotional connection is also very apparent. Pius strongly described his emotional connection to Ireland and his past as being a rope: “As for his past, it was attached to him like a mooring rope. The further the ship traveled, the more he felt its pull" (O’Connor 23.) This connection Pius feels is only further validated when we learn he travels with a pocket full of his father’s land onboard the ship. (O’Connor 79.) The experience and memories, while not all being pleasant, are an undeniable cohesive that bonds these characters to the lands they have grown up on. Mary Duane, another Irish character, provides insight as to her personal connection to the land when her oldest sister Eliza describes to her how not to avoid becoming pregnant when having sex using local geography to metaphorically express her message. She explains if one is riding a horse from Galway to Dublin, you make him hop off the horse near Chapelizod, just before Dublin. Evident in this choice metaphor crafted by Mary Duane’s sister is how important the land is and how it’s value can be shown in indirect ways such as sneaking into metaphorical allusion. This close affection to the land and the memories attached to it are evident, and they are shown to shape the character’s actions and desires. 

Works Cited
​O'Connor, Joseph. Star of the Sea. Orlando: Harcourt, 2002. Print.
Researcher/Writer: Ben Deetz
Web Designers: Madison Luke and Andrew Olsen

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