This document provides background information on Joseph O'Connor's historical novel "Star of the Sea". It discusses that O'Connor was born in Dublin and his mother passed away in a car accident when he was 21, influencing his writing. It outlines some of the major themes in the novel including morality, social class, territory, and religion. It provides context on the Great Famine in Ireland and how over one million Irish died of starvation or chose emigration during this time.

1. THE STAR OF THE
SEA
‘Nothing had prepared him for it: the fact of
famine. The trench-graves and screams. The
hillocks of corpses. The stench of death on
the tiny roads.’
Ryan Caroli

2. About the Author: Joseph
O’Connor
• Born in the Glenageary area of South
Dublin
• Has an M.A. from Leeds Metropolitan
University’s Northern School of Film
and Television
• Eldest of five children
• Mother passed away when he was
21- car accident- moved to
Nicaragua- influenced writing (female
characters relate to her
characteristics? Caring, loving, ect.)

3. Historical Inaccuracies?
Youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1640bi25K0
Mary’s Violent Eyes Made John Sit Up Nights
(Praying)

4. Themes and Important
Topics:
MORALITY
SOCIAL CLASS/RACE
TERRITORY
RELIGION
“Treat a man like a savage, and he will
become one” – Merridith

5. MORALITY
When is morality compromised in order to
survive?
Pius Mulvey- murderer or survivor?
Do extreme conditions make you do things you
normally wouldn’t?
Is it just an excuse for people to get away with
things?
Example: Pius drowning Mary Duane’s daughter-
temporary insanity/lack of any sense of morality
due to the Famine

6. Social Class/Race
Social class plays an important role in this
novel
Irish poor vs. Irish wealthy- Irish people turned
against each other
Powerful landlords- treated their people worse
than the British?
Mulvey- used to paint himself in black face-
what does that say about race at that time?
Star of Sea is an ex-slave ship
Voting in Ireland- based on wealth, not
citizenship“Those who toil the hardest possess the least
wealth; those who do nothing but eat have the
most”

7. Territory
Loyalty to their home lands- Merridith
The extremes the lords would go through to
keep their land
Sense of devoted patriotism to Ireland

8. Religion
Irish- very religious
The Captain- faith was his support
Star of the Sea- religiously based- Blessed Virgin
Mary in her aspect as a guide and protector to
those who work or travel on the sea and under
God was the Irish people’s savior and support
during the Famine
Mary, Star of the Sea, must be followed in faith and morals lest we
capsize amidst the storm-tossed waves of the sea. She will illumine
us to believe in Christ, born of her for the salvation of the world.
-Paschasius Radbertus

9. Continued agony for the
Irish
As one million Irish died of starvation during the
Great Potato Famine of the 1800's, another one
million chose emigration to the Americas. They
were weak from malnutrition and brought an
epidemic of Cholera and Typhus with them. The
Irish were faced with more adversity when those
living in America would not hire them.
Even when they have nothing, the
Irish emit a kind of happiness, a joy.
- Fiona Shaw

10. Tribute to the Irish
“The town was a dreadful sight, I could never forget it; with a multitude
half dead and weeping as they walked through the streets. Worse again
was to see those for whom weeping was too much effort”