"Old Cod": The Power of Storytelling in Conor McPherson's <em>The Weir</em>

<p>This paper examines the representation of Irish storytelling in Conor McPherson’s 1997 play <em>The Weir</em>. Drawing on postcolonial theory as well as the historical context of Ireland during the play’s release, I argue that <em>The Weir</em> is uniquely positioned at the intersection of traditional and modern values. Further, I assert that fairy legend is a tool used by the play’s characters to both understand and escape a fluctuating cultural landscape, and ultimately, a way to articulate their own values. Using textual analysis, I examine the rhetorical choices of the play’s storytellers and compare it with established conventions of Irish fairy legend. More broadly, I argue for storytelling as a way of negotiating values during times of change.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year

2024

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Sarah

Contributors dc:contributor

• Justine Van Meter
• Joanna Levin
• Mildred Lewis

• The Weir
• Conor McPherson
• Irish fairy legend
• Storytelling
• Dramatic Literature, Criticism and Theory
• Other English Language and Literature

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/english_theses/78

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.chapman.edu:english_theses-1082