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Appel, in his article From Shanties to Lace Curtains: The Irish Image in Puck,
1876-1910, argues that when analyzing historic stereotypes today, we shouldnt look at them
simply as a sign of prejudice, but rather as simple and crude representations of complex events
and people (Appel 365). This concept is explored through examination of how the portrayal of
the Irish in Puck changed as the Gilded Age progressed. He begins by exploring the origins of
Puck as a German language magazine started in 1876 by Joseph Keppler, and describing its
sense of crass and wild humor, frequently utilizing ethnic stereotypes, along with its somewhat
contradictory political views (e.g. pro-labor but anti-union) (Appel 366). Appel then dives into
examining the magazine's early portrayal of the Irish as violent subhumans, frequently depicted
as apes in cartoons, who threatened the character of American society (Appel 373). In these early
portrayals, the Irish were also vilified for being Catholic, which Keppler and his contemporaries
saw as antiquated and anti-american (Appel 369). He then explores the tonal shift that occurred
as the Irish moved up the social ladder, resulting in Pucks tone towards them becoming less
harsh and more comical (Appel 372). It is important to note that this was merely a shift in tone,
as the artistic designs of the stereotypes remained the same, but they became more playful
(Appel 372). Appel, in referencing Pucks depiction of the Irish during the late 19th century to
early 20th century, manages to successfully support the claim that stereotypes allow us a glimpse
In the mid-1800s, as a result of the Irish Potato Famine, there was a significant uptick in
Irish immigration to the United States. Upon their arrival, these immigrants faced a wide variety
of challenges. Many of these challenges were the result of prejudice against Catholics that was
rampant in Protestant dominated America. Appel notes that it is possible to see examples of this
anti-Catholicism in analyzing media from the era. For example, Puck magazine often represented
the Irish with an image of the countrys patron saint, Patrick. In a portrayal from 1884, he is
pictured as a Catholic Bishop with a large bottle of rye whisky, snakes underfoot, his miter
askew on a bearded, ape-like face (Appel 371). Appel successfully uses this depiction of the
Irish to provide his audience a glimpse into how they were pictured in the popular imagination at
the time. It also allows us to garner which traits society looked down on at the time. The
depiction of St. Patrick as a drunk allows us to see the influence of the temperance movement in
the popular imagination, as it not only demonized the bottle but also those associated with it. In
James Frasers By the People, this demonization of those associated with alcohol is stated as
being a critique many had of the the Prohibition/temperance movement (Fraser 637). Appels
usage of Pucks early portrayal of St. Patrick supports his thesis that historical stereotypes allow
The significance of Appels article is that it challenges the concept that we should
constantly ostracize stereotypes. It instead argues that they are a window into the popular
imagination if looked at properly. This can be seen in Pucks portrayal of St. Patrick. In a
remarkable departure from his drunken ape-like appearance in 1884, he is shown in 1904 as the
impish leprechaun caricature that is still present in modern-day culture (Appel 371). St. Patricks
change in appearance was not the result of shifting social values, however, as seen by the loss of
Al Smith (the first major Catholic presidential candidate) in the 1928 election and the
implementation of Prohibition. These events show that anti-Catholicism and temperance were
still prevalent factors in American life. Their continuation without the stereotype of the Irish
shows that only a limited decoupling occurred between these social issues and the Irish. This in
fact mirrors the upward social mobility of the Irish at this time, which resulted in an integration
with American society, as they joined social organizations typical of mainstream America
(Appel 371). In integrating, they were no longer perceived as a threat to the American way, but
Looking at the dramatic change that occurred in twenty years in regards to how Puck
portrayed St. Patrick, we are able to see how the perception of the Irish changed in relationship
to a variety of factors. This therefore supports Appels claim that stereotypes provide a window