Q&A: Studs Lonigan

Studs Lonigan

Studs Lonigan is the protagonist and the name of the trilogy of three novels, Young Lonigan, the Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan and Judgment Day, by the American author James T. Farrell. The novel is a classic depiction of Irish life in the South side of Chicago and how Studs Lonigan comes of age in the setting. It is particularly in the second part that Farrell brings to light the venom of racism and how its unchecked spread helped to produce and reproduce the ghetto. The main reason Farrell cites for writing the book is the urban world that he knew had never been portrayed honestly enough in fiction. In his words, ‘I am a second-generation Irish-American. The effects and scars of immigration are upon my life. The past was dragging through my boyhood and adolescence’ (Farrell, 1993). It was the acrimony that Farrell had for the Irish Chicago neighborhood in which he grew up that led him to write the novel. In his opinion the Catholic parish church as the neighborhood’s primary institution was a great obscurant whereby the immigrants and their children were always uncertain of their identity and place in the new land (Byrne, 2006).

A. why does Studs identify with Gallagher? Why does he live vicariously?

Studs had enormous admiration for Gallagher and he lives vicariously through Gallagher as this helps to give meaning to his life. Gallagher is everything that Studs aspires to be and hence is nothing short of a role model for him. Though in his heart he knew he could never be Gallagher, yet it was one of his greatest fantasies to be just like him. Farrell writes, ‘His mind became like a double exposure, with two reels running through it. He saw Joey Gallagher as the hero, and he saw himself in...

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...gnificant episodes that no one will remember. I find this to be very strong and realistic attitude towards death and dying.

Work Cited

Farrell, J. T. (1993) Studs Lonigan. Pp. ix (University of Illinois Press, 1993).

Bryne, P. (2006) Whatever Became of Studs Lonigan? Swans Commentary. Retrieved on May 7, 2009 from http://www.swans.com/library/art12/pbyrne04.html

The Newberry Library. Inventory of the James T. Farrell-Cleo Paturis Papers, 1909-2006. Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections. Retrieved on May 13, 2009 from http://www.newberry.org/collections/FindingAids/farrellpaturis/FarrellPaturis.html#d0e163

Rochette-Crawley, S. (2004) James T. Farrell. The Literary Encyclopedia. April 2, 2004. Retrieved on May 13, 2009 from http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1487