Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations (2009 -) Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Projects "Irish Blood, English Heart": Gender, Modernity, and "Third Way" Republicanism in the Formation of the Irish Republic Kenneth Lee Shonk, Jr. Marquette University Recommended Citation Shonk, Jr., Kenneth Lee, ""Irish Blood, English Heart": Gender, Modernity, and "Third Way" Republicanism in the Formation of the Irish Republic" (2010). Dissertations (2009 -). Paper 53. http://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/53 “IRISH BLOOD, ENGLISH HEART”: GENDER, MODERNITY, AND “THIRD-WAY” REPUBLICANISM IN THE FORMATION OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC By Kenneth L. Shonk, Jr., B.A., M.A., M.A.T. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin May 2010 ABSTRACT “IRISH BLOOD, ENGLISH HEART”: GENDER, MODERNITY, AND “THIRD-WAY” REPUBLICANISM IN THE FORMATION OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC Kenneth L. Shonk, Jr., B.A., M.A., M.A.T. Marquette University, 2010 Led by noted Irish statesman Eamon de Valera, a cadre of former members of the militaristic republican organization Sinn Féin split to form Fianna Fáil with the intent to reconstitute Irish republicanism so as to fit within the democratic frameworks of the Irish Free State. Beginning with its formation in 1926, up through the passage of a republican constitution in 1937 that was recognized by Great Britain the following year, Fianna Fáil had successfully rescued the seemingly moribund republican movement from complete marginalization. Using gendered language to forge a nexus between primordial cultural nationalism and modernity, Fianna Fáil’s nationalist project was tantamount to efforts anti- hegemonic as well as hegemonic. At the same time that the party sought to dissolve both the Free State and remnants of British Colonialism, it made concerted efforts to construct a new nation along republican lines. Responding to a feminized même by its political opposition, Fianna Fáil established political legitimacy by forging a delayed-Enlightenment aesthetic that triumphed reason, democratic values, and pacifistic insurrection. Faced with the challenges of fierce opposition as well as those associated with the creation of a new nation, Fianna Fáil offered a corrective by clearly delineating that which was acceptable in terms of both tradition and modernity, political agency, as well as constructs of femininity and masculinity. In contrast to the public revolutionary feminist, Fianna Fáil established clear frameworks of appropriate womanhood commensurate with its republican ideology. The party offered a varied level of political agency to women as they were to be both consumers and physical embodiments of a Fianna Fáil-based republic. In contrast, yet symbiotically related, de Valera’s party confronted the economic challenges of the era by creating a socio-economic aesthetic that heralded the party’s masculine, activist economic policy. Having established what was acceptable, the party made a concerted effort to other, or queer, that which did not fit within its nationalistic aims by highlighting their opponents’ inability to fit within the party’s heteronormative binary. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Kenneth L. Shonk, Jr., B.A., M.A., M.A.T. “Real names be proof.” -Minutemeni Since this project began in the spring of 2003 as a seminar paper at California State University, Fullerton, a great number of people contributed to its improvement and to my training as a historian. As such, this dissertation is reflective of the efforts and care given during the last seven years. While at Fullerton, I was fortunate to work with a number of professors, including Cora Granata, Robert McLain, and Jochen Burgtorf, all of whom offered the encouragement and guidance that enabled me to continue work on this project at the doctoral level. It was during this time that I met Daniel McClure and Heather Carter—both of whom have offered unwavering and invaluable friendship, critiques, and unabashed support for my work. Daniel and Heather contributed untold hours in editing drafts and contributing ideas for this project. Though I am grateful for their contributions to my work, I am far more grateful for their continued friendship, not to mention that of their respective spouses, Jennifer McClure and Terry Carter. At Marquette University, I have had the pleasure to work under Timothy G. McMahon, who has offered nothing but positive critiques, support, and élan for this project. It is unlikely that there exists a finer, more dedicated mentor. Irene Guenther played a key role in expanding the project into the realm of cultural history, not to mention encouragement in taking a wider, European scope. Much of the theoretical approaches taken in this project were done so under the guidance of Phillip Naylor, who was unwavering in his interest and dedication to this project. To these three—my dissertation committee—I owe my eternal gratitude. I would be remiss if I neglected to thank Julius Ruff, James Marten, Jana Byars, Lezlie Knox, Carla Hay, Alan Ball and Thomas Jablonsky, all of whom contributed to my training as a historian at Marqeutte. While at Marquette, I was fortunate to forge friendships with a number of colleagues, each of whom either read drafts, contributed ideas, or were encouraging of my efforts. This includes Adam Stueck, Ann Ostendorf, McKayla Sutton and Jodi Eastberg. During the writing process, a great many people not yet mentioned contributed to the dissertation and to whom I offer my thanks. This includes Jason K. Knirck, of Central Washington University, whose work inspired and shaped my own, not to mention his encouragement and willingness to share ideas. Sean Farrell at Northern Illinois University has been generous in his encouragement and interest. To Bairbre ni Chiardha, to whom I owe much in her efforts to help me with the Irish language, as well as her cousin Claire Carey who opened her home in Dublin making my stay in Ireland all the more pleasant. Go raibh mile maith agat. Marianne Elliott has been instrumental in introducing me into the larger field of Irish history. i Minutemen, “History Lesson, Part 2,” Double Nickels on the Dime, SST Records 028, 1984. ii Any work of history is only as good as its sources, and therefore I am grateful to the library staff at Marquette University, California State University, Fullerton, the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. In Ireland, Lisa Collins and Kate Manning at University College, Dublin Archives, Mary Broderick of the National Library of Ireland’s Ephemerae Collection, Liam Cullen, Head of Research for the Fianna Fáil party, Bertie Ahern for offering to expedite the process with Fianna Fáil, and all the staff at the National Archives of Ireland have my eternal gratitude. A lifetime of appreciation must be given to my parents, Ken and Linda Shonk, who have always supported my efforts no matter how illogical. And finally, to my wife Suzan who has been a constant source of joy, friendship, and support throughout this entire process. To these three I dedicate this dissertation. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………………..…….i LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………………..iv LIST OF TERMS IN IRISH………………………………………………………….vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………………….viii CHAPTERS I. IRISH BLOOD, ENGLISH HEART………………………………………..1 II. “AN ACT OF APOSTACY,” THE FORMATION OF FIANNA FÁIL AND THE RENASCENCE OF REPUBLICAN RHETORIC, 1926-1937….37 Appendix To Chapter Two…………………………………………...83 III. “BRIGHT DAYS ARE COMING! IN QUAKER GRAY.” FIANNA FÁIL AND THE RECONSTITUTION OF IRISH (REPUBLICAN) WOMEN, 1931-1937…………………………………………………………………….91 Appendix To Chapter Three...………………………………………138 IV. “PUT THE LAGGARDS OUT!” FIANNA FÁIL AND THE AESTHETICS OF MASCULINITY, 1932-1938…………………………..154 Appendix To Chapter Four..………………………………………..205 V. “QUEERING” JOHN BULL—FIANNA FÁIL AND THE EFFORT TO REIFY REPUBLICAN HETERONORMATIVITY……………………….210 Appendix To Chapter Five................................................................232 VI. “MEMORY IS A RATHER FLEETING SENSE”—THE CURIOUS CASE OF PATHÉ FILMS AND THE CINEMATIC ARCHIVE OF THE MILITANT ERA…………………………………………………………...239 BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………….………250 iv LIST OF FIGURES APPENDIX TO CHAPTER TWO Figure 2.1: Cumann na nGaedheal, Shadow of the Gunman, University College Cork Digital Archives, http://multitext.ucc.ie/viewgallery/1332, accessed 17 November 2009…………………………………………………83 Figure 2.2: Cumann na nGaedheal, Don’t Let This Happen, NLI, EC POL/1930-40/6..………………………………………………….…………..84 Figure 2.3: Cumann na nGaedheal, An Empty Formula, NLI, EC POL/1930- 40/6………………………………………………………………..………….85 Figure 2.4.: Cumann na nGaedheal, The Cost of an Empty Formula, NLI, EC POL/1930-40/6……………………………………………………………….86 Figure 2.5: Cumann na nGaedheal, No Goods Taken From Window!, NLI, EC POL/1930-40/6……………………………………………………………….87 Figure 2.6: Cumann na nGaedheal, Devvy’s Circus, NLI, EC POL/1930- 40/6……………………………………………………………………..….…88 Figure 2.7: Cumann na nGaedheal, The Hen That Took 5 Years to Lay An Egg, NLI, EC POL/1930-40/6..……………………………………………………89 Figure 2.8: Bee, “Ex-Unionist,” Irish Press, 15 February 1932, 1……….….90 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER THREE Figure 3.1: “In Brown and Beige,” Irish Press, 1 October 1931, 3………...138 Figure 3.2: “Fashions to Please,” Irish Press, 6 April 1934, 5……………..139 Figure 3.3: “Distinctive…,” Irish Press, 1 December 1933,