The Evolution Of The Irish Image In American Popular Culture

The Irish image has undergone a sea change in American popular culture. Whenfamine-stricken Irish immigrants stampeded into America150years ago, they wereportrayed as violent ape-like figures, and later drunkards, villains and thugs. As timewent by, the Irish image started to evolve. Irish became lovely policemen, humorouspriests and charming young fellows. After that, the Irish image has continued tochange. Irish Americans now stand for patriotism and heroism on many occasions,and long gone the days when their allegiance to America was suspected. The IrishAmerican tough guy image floods American screen incarnating American values. Theevolution of the Irish image reflects a bigger picture of Irish Americans. They havesuccessfully elevated themselves from the lowest social echelon during the past oneand a half centuries. It is safe to say the Irish American community as a whole hasassimilated into American mainstream. However, another phenomenon merits ourattention. In the21stcentury, the popularity of Irishness continues unabated. St.Patrick Day celebration has become a global party; American literature, big and smallscreens further market the Irish element. The paper is intended to present and discussthis phenomenon.