This page was created by Madison Luke.  The last update was by Erika Strandjord.

Star of the Sea : A Postcolonial/Postmodern Voyage into the Irish Famine

Geographical Significance (Spoiler)

While analyzing the connections of land to the characters and also the value of that land is important, it’s equally important to consider how the multitude of geographical locations affects Star of The Sea. While a majority of the novel is based aboard a ship traveling from Ireland to the United States, we also see chapters describing the trials of travel to and from London, spanning a huge distance along Ireland, briefly though Scotland, and finally across the sea to England. While reading it’s easy to misjudge just how daunting and difficult such travel would be, given the lack of sustenance to be walking such long distances as a result of the Famine. When analyzing characters such as Pius Mulvey or Mary Duane who spent significant periods of time simply walking hundreds of miles with little to no food, the reader mustn’t lose focus on the geographical significance added. It not only accentuates the desperation and hopelessness already pungent within their stories, but adds an element of mystique. These characters battled extreme exhaustion and unrelenting starvation, pushing the boundaries beyond what is perceived as humanly possible. Mary Duane was even pregnant during her begrudgingly long treks. In analyzing these character’s actions and decisions, it’s crucial to keep in mind just how incredible the fact that they managed these travels is, and the toll it would take mentally, physically, and spiritually. The same trend would apply for those who are on the ship traveling from Ireland to America. As elaborated on in the Famine ships section of the website, the inhabitants of this ship faced uncomfortable, and even potentially lethal circumstances with the lack of food, spreading of disease, and overcrowding. The same care must be given when considering how the inhabitants of the ship are affected mentally, physically, and spiritually as the setting affects their actions and thoughts. 

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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