John J.

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

into the popular imagination in which they were conceived.

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

us to gain greater perspective on the ongoings of when they were established.

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

rather as a benign part of it.

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

into the world in which they were constructed.