The Drunk Irishman Stereotype

1. The author first defines this drunken stereotype of the Irish in America, and explains how this stereotype threat affects Irishmen’s life condition; More specifically, this drunk stereotype is more directed against Irishmen and more pernicious to them than other groups. The author then points out the fact that “the Irish doesn’t drink more than the people of any other nationality.” By studying into the observer’s perspective, the author illustrates that the majority of American citizen are tend to emphasis and exaggerate on things they can see and try to explain them, but never look at these Irishmen’s behavior above their shoulders; Merely because they are “strangers.” Then he lists the Irishmen’s virtues which are closely related to their cultural background, and comparing their drinking habit to Americans’, in order to further approve that Irishmen’s tendencies of drinking are not inferior than others. Finally, he mentions that there are only small portion of Irishmen were involved into some petty crimes which are perpetrated in passion to “against the peace and order of the community.” Comparing these to some more deadly, wretched, deliberated crimes that are perpetrated by other group of people, Irishmen appear to be more innocuous. This statement shows that the injurious drunken Irish stereotype is nothing but an illusion without any actual proof.
2. The American culture in the late 1800s that is portrayed by the author seems to be exclusive or antiforeign. Depends on the crimes and social phenomenon that are listed in the last paragraph, it looks like that America had a serious social instability issue at that period of time. The mostly ignorant American citizens and politicians desperately needed a solution for these cultural diversity conflicts and social security problems. Therefore, the natives of the country need someone to blame, and the light-hearted Irishmen became the “scapegoats”