Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Article Review Final
Article Review Final
Article Review Final
Appel, John J. "From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image in Puck, 1876
1910." 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>.
As more immigrants fled to America to pursue the American Dream, more Americans
began to develop a sense of nativism, or hatred towards immigrants. This hatred was mostly
caused by stereotype tensions, in which Americans did not like specific Irish qualities. In the
article, From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image in Puck, 1876-1910 by John J. Appel,
a professor from Michigan State University, Appel analyzes the portrayal of Irish immigrants in
Puck magazine. He argues that Puck intensified stereotypes and prejudice towards the Irish
immigrants, making it harder for the Irish to assimilate. Through the use of the examples of
Uncle Sams Lodging House and Pucks editorials of 1877 and 1878, Appel is able to prove his
claim. This is similar to the textbook, By the People: A History of the United States, because they
both show the negative portrayal of Irish immigrants. Because of the specific and strong
evidence, and similar comparison to the textbook, Appels argument is very strong.
Puck magazine emerged in order to criticize groups and events, and during the early
1900s, the criticism was directed towards Irish immigrants. Typically, these Irish stereotypes
were portrayed in political cartoons, created by cartoonists like Joseph Keppler. His favorite
cartoons loved to exaggerate the negative impacts of the Irish, by reminding readers that some
immigrants have been violent towards U.S. citizens in New York. In addition, resentment
Fish 2
towards Irish immigrants was commonly expressed through the characters Paddy and Bridget.
These [two] lower class Irish were the staple of Pucks Irish cartoons and jokes, and were used
to exaggerate the Irish stereotypes (Appel 367). Aspects such as the fighting nature of the Irish,
their Catholic beliefs, and traits of laziness and alcoholism were often used to create
exaggerations about Irish qualities, which entertained readers, and enforced the belief that
immigrants were very different from Americans. Because of examples like these, Appel is able to
further his argument that stereotypes made it harder for the Irish to assimilate, because they were
set apart from the rest of society. As time progressed, these depictions changed, and the
immigrants began to be admired for their distinct qualities. Compared to other immigrants, the
Irish were superior, and therefore desired in the workplace. As the stereotypes of the Irish died
down, other stereotypes, for example those surrounding the Jews, emerged. By analyzing the
transition of stereotypes, Appel and the reader are able to have more insight into what life was
really like in this time period. Overall, Appels use of evidence persuades the reader into
understanding that because Puck intensified Irish stereotypes, it was difficult for these
Through Appels use of examples of political cartoons and other sources from Puck
magazine, he clearly and logically supports his argument that stereotypes depicted in Puck made
it hard for the Irish to assimilate. Most importantly, by using the example of Kepplers cartoon,
Uncle Sams Lodging House, Appel was able to show how the nation reflected a common
American resentment against the inflamed temper of certain Irish and the rebel note surrounded
by one of its leaders(Appel 368). Keppler also points out the strong sense of Irish nationalism,
which some U.S. citizens despised and feared about the immigrants. In addition to this
nationalism, other qualities including their inclination towards violence, are evident in the
Fish 3
exaggerating these Irish qualities, the audience developed a sense of nativism, which, in turn,
makes it harder for Irish immigrants to assimilate into U.S. society. Though the author uses a
multitude of strong, supportive evidence to support his claim, he also uses counterevidence. Even
though the readers views of Irish immigrants began to shift to a more positive outlook, the
criticism in Puck still remained. Appels example of Pucks editorials of 1887 and 1888
contradicted past views of the Irish. Instead of being viewed as lazy and useless, they were then
being viewed as energetic compared to the inferior Bohemian and Russian immigrants
(Appel 371). Although it might seem like this contradicts the authors argument, it actually
supports it. Because it expresses how American citizens specifically encouraged the Irish to
work, it further shows how there was still an ethnic barrier between the two groups, therefore
making it hard for immigrants to assimilate into society. Appels use of specific, strong, and
supporting evidence, furthers the readers understanding, causing his argument to be valid and
accepted by the reader, and the textbooks conformation of these facts furthers Appels rhetoric.
In addition to Appels article, Frasers By the People depicts how the newly immigrated
Irish were also viewed negatively. Fraser goes into depth, explaining that this hatred of the Irish
stemmed from English-Irish relations in Europe, which seemed to be continued by U.S. citizens.
Catholicism, which was also mentioned in Appels article, was a distinct quality of Irish that was
disliked by many Americans, because it was seen as a degrading religion and, thus, the Irish
as an inferior race(369). This is identical to how Appel describes American attitudes towards
immigrants, so the sources validate each other. However, the textbook focuses more on what the
Irish immigrants did to improve society, rather than how they were negatively viewed and
depicted. Appel describes the reoccurring quality of laziness, exemplified in political cartoons,
Fish 4
while the textbook shows that the Irish were actually the opposite. Both male and female
immigrants worked in order to increase their economic opportunity, and their willingness to
work hard made them prized employees (Fraser 361). Later in the article, Appel recognizes that
as the views on the Irish shifted to a more positive outlook, many Americans began to favor Irish
workers because of their hard work, a view shared by Fraser. Because of the similarity between
Appels article and Frasers textbook, Appels argument is further validated, resulting in a deeper
understanding for the reader that as a result Pucks encouragement and exaggeration of Irish
In conclusion, Appels argument that stereotypes depicted in Puck made it difficult for the
immigrants to assimilate was supported with strong evidence, which made the argument logical,
clear, and easily understood by the audience. By providing specific evidence including Kepplers
Uncle Sams Lodging House and Pucks 1887 and 1888 editorials, he supports his claim, and
persuades the reader to agree with him. Also, the similarities shared by the article and the
textbook regarding how the Irish were viewed by Americans furthers Appels persuasiveness.
Overall, this article would be highly useful for a college history student, as it provides insight to
what life was like during the early 1900s by going into detail about the specific stereotypes of
immigrants from an Americans point of view. By providing these key details, the reader is able
to further their understanding of American society and stereotypes at that time, and it could be
very useful in gaining further knowledge about societal tensions still in place today.
Works Cited
Fish 5
Appel, John J. "From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image in Puck, 1876
1910." Comparative Studies in Society and History 13.04 (1971): 365. Web. 10 Feb.
2017.<http://www.museum.msu.edu/appelcollection/pdf/From%20Shanties%20to%20La
ce%20Curtains.pdf>.