A Reappraisal of the Short Stories of Mary Lavin Theresa Wray A Thesis submitted in Candidature for The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Cardiff University July 2013 i Summary This thesis re-examines selected short stories of Irish writer Mary Lavin, placing a particular focus on fiction she published from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Drawing on extensive archival research into Lavin’s unpublished correspondence, it uncovers how the transatlantic aspects of Lavin’s biography intersect with key elements of the social and cultural history of mid-twentieth-century Ireland. It also provides vital new evidence to scholars through its explicit use of correspondence between Lavin’s father, Tom Lavin, and his employers, the Bird family. The thesis shows how a mixture of autobiographical experience, social and political context and an empathetic awareness of the significance of various cultural inheritances, inflects Lavin’s realist style. Analysing important stories across the main span of her writing, the thesis contends that Lavin is a major figure, with a unique perspective on her times. Despite valuable early literary studies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and some increasing attention during the 1990s, we have only recently begun to see a more sustained resurgence of interest in Lavin’s fiction. While such a shift is welcome, this thesis argues that a perceived lack of complexity in Lavin’s fiction still remains and needs to be challenged in order to reveal the true value of her oeuvre. The thesis offers a new analysis of Lavin’s writing that tracks major themes, appraises her use of the novella form, and recognises the richness and significance of her contribution to the Irish literary canon. In taking a fresh look at Lavin’s work, it thus prepares readers for a fuller understanding of the intricacies of her art. Contents Summary ................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements .................................................................................. ii List of Abbreviations ............................................................................... v Introduction ............................................................................................. 1 The American dimension ............................................................ 5 Lavin’s Realism ........................................................................... 7 Research strategies ...................................................................... 10 Auto/biography: a method of interpreting Lavin’s fiction .......... 12 The short story ............................................................................ 15 Chapter 1 – Locating Lavin’s fiction ....................................................... 20 Texts and reception ..................................................................... 39 Lavin’s Archive ........................................................................... 42 Previously unseen manuscripts ................................................... 49 The short story ............................................................................ 51 Connections and revisions .......................................................... 54 Chapter 2 – Conflict and Change: The 1940s fictions............................. 58 Early support ............................................................................... 60 Reworking texts ........................................................................... 67 1940s realist fictions ................................................................... 69 Outside of the realist mode ......................................................... 114 Chapter 3 – The Big House Narratives ................................................... 141 Lavin in the wider context of Big House Fiction ........................ 161 Chapter 4 – ‘The Becker Wives’: Shifting Scale ................................... 186 Chapter 5 – Taking Stock ........................................................................ 228 The New Yorker magazine ......................................................... 237 Private Matters ........................................................................... 246 The 1950s: a decade of caution ................................................. 248 Narratives of family histories ...................................................... 268 Concluding Remarks .............................................................................. 283 Appendix ................................................................................................ 289 Copyright agreement, University College Dublin ...................... 290 Bibliography ........................................................................................... 291 ii Acknowledgements I wish to thank my supervisor Professor Claire Connolly for her advice, patience and support in the completion of this thesis. It has been a long road travelled. My thanks also to Dr Carl Plasa who has been so helpful in looking at the fine detail of the thesis during the closing stages. Thanks also go to the staff at Cardiff University library; they have always been supportive and helpful regarding my requests for information over the course of my research, and to administrative staff at ENCAP for their kindness throughout the process. My gratitude to Cardiff University for various financial sums: these supported travel costs for research and attendance at conferences. This has been a most valued contribution to completion of my research. Rachel Webber’s advice and assistance in navigating the paperwork has been much appreciated. Also, thanks to BAIS (British Association for Irish Studies) for a student bursary early on in my research. To the following members of the Lavin family, who must have great demands on their time, but who always treated my requests for information with the utmost graciousness, I thank you. To Caroline Walsh, whose generosity with her time, and interest in my research from the very beginning, meant a great deal to me, I acknowledge absolute thanks. A meeting full of laughter and her reminiscences, in the early days of my studies, bolstered my confidence to continue on this journey. Her passing is a great sadness to those who knew her. To James Ryan, for his patience in dealing with my unexpected emails, with both humour and diligence, I give my thanks and mark appreciation for his kindness in meeting with me. To Elizabeth Walsh Peavoy, both for her kindness in responding to questions, and clarifying matters with regard to points of research, my appreciation. To Eugene Roche and Evelyn Flanagan, Special Collections, UCD, my especial gratitude. They have made me feel so welcome, and offered the most professional and human environment for a tired, often pencil-hating researcher hot off the ferry. Their appreciation of the work being undertaken, is especially worthy of note. Thanks also to Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Archivist at the National Folklore Collection, UCD, for his help. Thanks to the following at the Department of Manuscripts at the National Library of Ireland: Luke Kirwin, Colette O’ Daly, Frances Clark, Tom Desmond, Avice-Claire McGovern and James Harte, for making the planning and resolution of a research trip most profitable and enjoyable, and to Elizabeth Kirwan, National Photographic Archive for her assistance also. To staff at the Howard Gotlieb Archive, Boston University, enormous gratitude for the provision of a wonderful archive of materials and the opportunity to examine these in a spacious environment on more than one occasion. Especial mention must go to Ryan Hendrickson, Assistant Director of Manuscripts, for his help. Gratitude also to Elaine Grublin, Reference Librarian at Massachusetts Historical Society, for access iii to materials within such a magnificent and peaceful environment, and for her follow- up assistance regarding points of clarification. To David Horn, Head of Archives and Manuscripts at the Burns Library, Boston College, to Justine Hyland, Reference Librarian, Amy Braitsch, Robert Savage and Kathleen Williams, my appreciation for their assistance. Recognition also goes to Anna Ramos, Zoë Stansell, Magdelena Olenska, Michael Boggan and Victor Bristoll at the British Library, St Pancras, and the British Library newspapers, Colindale, for their support in planning access to materials, also to Yadley Day and staff in the sound archive. Also, my gratitude goes to staff at The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan Library, for allowing access to records in the early days. There are a number of people who have responded to emails with a generosity that I could not have imagined was possible. To Caitriona Clear, Breda Gray, Tom Kilroy, Eamon Maher, Ann Norton, Colm Tóibín, my especial thanks. To Robert Dunbar, Sarah Binchy, Julie Anne Stevens a particular mention for their interest in Lavin’s work, and kindness in reponding so meaningfully to questions. A special mention goes to Margaret Kelleher for her introduction to Maurice and Maura Harmon. They have provided personal recollections of Mary, but most importantly, have been so generous in spirit, giving of their time to a new member of a research community. Giovanna Tallone’s kindness in sharing her own ideas on Lavin’s work, and her continued encouragement, deserves particular mention. Akshay at Ploughshares generously provided material. Kalene Nix gave permission for me to read her own thesis after her examination, and I greatly appreciate