Troubled Trinity: Love, Religion and Patriotism in Liam O'Flaherty's First Novel, <em>Thy neighbour's wife</em>.

<p>The focus of this research is a detailed analysis of Liam O'Flaherty's first published novel, <em>Thy Neighbour's Wife</em>, as an underlying autobiographical portrait depicted in the main character, Fr. Hugh McMahon. Although never touted as an autobiography, this study shows O'Flaherty drew upon his early cultural, historical, religious, and political influences in creating his main character. Primary and secondary sources, an ethnographic trip to Ireland, and a content analysis of the novel determined the findings.</p><p>The fictional McMahon faced difficult personal choices, subsequently coming to terms with past decisions. McMahon's foibles reflect O'Flaherty's early years. O'Flaherty wrote two acclaimed autobiographies, <em>Shame the Devil</em> and <em>Two Years</em>, during his later literary career. This analysis establishes that O'Flaherty used his main character in his first novel, <em>Thy Neighbour's Wife</em>, as a means of conveying in fictional form his own personal struggles, thus establishing this novel as a de facto autobiography.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MALS (Master of Arts in Liberal Studies)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Liberal Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Jackson, Robin Heavner

• Aran Islands
• Irish writers
• Ireland
• Liam O'Flaherty
• Thy Neighbor's Wife
• Catholicism
• Irish literature
• Education
• Liberal Studies

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/688

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1845