Joyce`s deep-rooted Parnellism is well known and his interest in socialism, especially during his writing of ¡°Ivy Day in the Committee Room,¡± is undeniable, as evidenced by his letters and biographies. But the question can be raised on how these seemingly conflicting causes can coexist in Joyce`s mind, for there seems to be an unbridgeable gap between Irish middle-class nationalism and Irish labor. Unexpectedly, however, these two turn out to be reconciled with each other, as is illustrated by the story. This study refutes the argument that the socialist Joyce is irreconcilable with the Parnellite Joyce. In the story the Nationalists who claim Parnell``s mantle are contrasted with the dead leader in many ways; they are unworthy, venal, and ineffectual. Tierney, the nationalist candidate, is in particular presented unfavourably against the labor candidate, Colgan, one who reminds us of Connolly, who was the real socialist candidate against Nationalists in municipal elections and was also influential on Young Joyce. Tierney is under the Nationalist flag; however, he seems to be not against British imperialism and capitalism. Far from being a Parnellite, he is strongly supported by the anti-Parnellite Catholic clergy. The only true Parnellite in the story is Joe Hynes. Interestingly, he is a supporter for the labor candidate, not the nationalist who claims to be a Parnell`s successor. Here it is worth noting that Hynes is also suspected of being a Fenian and that Parnell, socialists, and Fenians share the common enemy, the Church. Joyce, being an anticlericalist, will surely belong to the same group as Hynes. Further, as Connolly asserted, the cause of Parnellite nationalism and that of socialism are the same. As his story demonstrates, Joyce shows that Parnellism can be reconciled with socialism, even though they might look like mutually cancelling alternatives. |