Mary Duane In Star Of The Sea

In his novel, Star of the Sea, Joseph O’Connor recounts the story of the people fleeing the Potato Famine on the ship, Star of the Sea, as they make the perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland to America in search of a better life. However, the individuals aboard the ship are corrupt and deceitful, but one character, Mary Duane, remains unscathed by the sin surrounding her. Thus, in the novel, Star of the Sea, Mary Duane serves as the heroine of the story.
For a heroine to begin her journey, she must first be called to adventure by a herald. “This first stage of the mythological journey—which we have designated the ‘call to adventure’—signifies that destiny has summoned the hero [heroine] and transferred his [her] spiritual …show more content…
In a conversation between David Merridith and Doctor William Mangan, Lord Kingscourt reveals that his father had an affair with his housemaid, Mary Duane’s mother, and thus Mary Duane was born. “‘There was a child of the liaison. A daughter.’ ‘She was passed off as a member of the woman’s own family.’ ‘But the mother was my nanny. A lady call Margaret Duane’” (O’Connor 336). This suggests that Mary Duane is the heroine because heroine’s often have unusual birth circumstances, such as being born into nobility or being born into danger (Davis), and by birth, Mary is neither royalty nor common folk. When first introduced, Thomas David Merridith is presented as a tyrant. “Lord Merridith was waiting by the hearthstone in the dining room with his hands behind his back and his feet a yard apart. Lord Merridith had an interest in ruins and ruination” (O’Connor 49, 50). The hearthstone is symbolic of the family and family legacy. Thomas David Merridith’s hand behind his back alludes to him having a secret. His fascination of ruins represents his desire to bring about the ruination of his family. He serves the monster father figure because he forbids David and Mary from seeing each other. “‘My f-father has told me not be seen with you in future.’ ‘He could send you away if he wanted,’ David Merridith had said quietly. ‘He could send you away tomorrow morning’” (O’Connor 76). In this episode, …show more content…
Thus, Pius Mulvey’s return in September represents Mary’s deeper decsent into the underworld and foreshadows Mary’s departure from Nicholas, the guide figure. Cows are symbolic of fertility, earthly bounty, and motherhood. In Hinduism, cows are seen as spiritual guides (Bostwick). The death of the cow alludes to the death of Mary’s child and the death of her motherhood. Pius Mulvey killing the cow refers to the separation of Mary from her spiritual guide. The death of the cow is also symbolic of the departure from the womb by force. Additionally, the cow’s death adverts to the future poverty, starvation, and hardship Mary will face. Potatoes were the staple food source of the Irish poor. By destroying these, Pius is trying to make Mary even poorer and keep her in a state of dependence and childhood. The wall Pius builds symbolizes that he and the hardships caused by him are the obstacles Mary must overcome to complete her journey as the heroine. Furthermore, heroes and heroines often encounter tempters or temptresses along their journey. Mary is tempted and succumbs to temptation when Pius seduces her. In her letter to the captain of the Star of the Sea, Mary recounts: “…i was weak… and gave into him p**s M***** i mean to my shame. he gave me whiskey first. he said he would help me with a sup for the child if i did it and he would leave off from sneaping my husband. afterward

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