Claire Gill

Ms. Whipple

From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image in Puck, 1876-1910 by: John J. Appel

In the article written by John J. Appel, From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image

in Puck, 1876-1910, we see how stereotypes, specifically Irish, were depicted in the late 19th to

early 20th century. The author talks about how the magazine, Puck, joked about certain

stereotypes to not only entertain the audience, but to inform them about real problems in the

world. John J. Appel also immigrated to the United States, so this article was something he could

relate to. At the end of his article, Appel claims that the use of stereotyping the Irish was a cruel

way to let people know the meaning of stereotypes: that they all arose from the assumption that

equality of opportunity was available to all, that the superiority of some races and inferiority of

others was biologically conditioned, and that there was a correlation to a man's social status and

his race, nationality, and religion.

One of the stereotypes frequently mentioned by Appel which appeared in Puck is that of

laziness. This is best summarized by a Puck editor who called them a discontented, idle, debt-

owing lot who have rarely done any work, even in this free country, to improve their social

condition. Within this tirade is a crucial component to Appels thesis of a free country. In order

for the attack of laziness to have any real bite, there must exist a system in which laziness is a

fault. America, the land of the free where an entrepreneurial spirit will lift any immigrant from

their lows, is the scene for Pucks stereotypes to flourish. We see in Plate 3 the notion that

America can make even braggarts successful if they are willing to put in the work. This plate,

however, also reveals a deep fault within the systems that are in place to keep new immigrants

from improving their social condition. Appel does a good job of setting some of the scene but
 Claire Gill
Ms. Whipple

more should have been spent on the attitude of the Americans at this time that hard work

guaranteed increased status. This protestant work ethic may have also made an interesting

counterpoint to the predominantly Catholic Irish.

Appel also mentions the comparison between the way the Irish were treated during the

late 1800s, and the way African Americans were treated in the 60s. We see this when a study of

eighteen traits ascribed to negroes by whitesthe majority were by Pucks editors and

contributors also seen typically Irish qualities. This relates directly to Appels thesis that some

races are superior and others are inferior is a biologically conditioned idea. The way people view

stereotypes ends up becoming something that will stick, until something changes this idea. Since

people viewed Irish as lazy, fighters, and drunks, it is now something that is always thought of

when an Irish is brought up. The same happened with African Americans during the early 1900s.

We see this in Plate 1, Uncle Sam's Lodging House, how the prejudices against the Irish-

American were keeping them from having representation. The parallel to the 60s is very

apparent, because the backlash from the African Americans for certain rights was the same as the

cartoon. Appel does a good job of highlighting the fact that due to prejudices against a certain

race due to stereotypes, people see races as inferior.

Appel also talks about the jobs that most Irish-Americans had during the late 1800s.

Appel talks about how the Irish built railroads, [dug] canals, and [laid] sewer pipes, all of

which are low skill, and low level jobs. This evidence clearly is a dig at the part of Appels thesis

that claims that there is a correlation between a man's social status, and his nationality, race and

religion. The author claims that if the Irish weren't as lazy then they would have better jobs.

He is clearly saying that if they weren't seen as a certain nationality, than their social status, like

their jobs, would been more acceptable. Appel shows a small amount of this in his article, but
 Claire Gill
Ms. Whipple

could've talked more about other aspects of the Irish-american social status. Mentioning where

they lived, and other things in their life would have done more to prove this part of his thesis.

Appels argument about the Irish is saying that they were stereotyped unfairly. In the

textbook, the Irish were depicted as political machines, or someone who takes advantage of the

poor and gives them jobs, if they vote for them. It is similar to Appels argument about how the

Irish were shown, but in the textbook, they are showing the Irish in the way Appel didn't want it

to be. The textbook talks about the Irish and how they are mischevious, the exact way that Appel

opposed, but it wasn't saying that the Irish were drunks, or lazy.

Appels article did show how stereotypes affect people in their life, but it went on too

much about irrelevant things, and his argument wasn't very clear. The authors organization of his

article is confusing, as it does not go in order, or come to a point. A college student might find

this article helpful, if researching the use and effect of stereotypes in history, but it is not a great

article over all.

Sources
 Claire Gill
Ms. Whipple

Appel, John J. "From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image in Puck, 18761910."

Comparative Studies in Society and History 13.04 (1971): 365. Web. 10 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.museum.msu.edu/appelcollection/pdf/From%20Shanties%20to%20Lace

%20Curtains.pdf>.

Textbook: By the People: A History of the United States

AP Edition

James Fraser 2015