Study Questions
1. Considering the title, why is Kernan’s fall ironic?

2. Comment on the meaning of grace in the following quote: “[Kernan] had never been seen in the city without a silk hat of some decency and a pair of gaiters. By grace of these two articles of clothing, he said, a man could always pass muster.”

3. Why is it ironic that Mrs. Kernan celebrated her anniversary by waltzing with her husband “to Mr. Power’s accompaniment”?

4. What is significant about Mr. M’Coy’s comment that the Jesuits are “the boyos [that] have influence”?

5. When Kernan recollects hearing Fr. Tom Burke preach, he recalls that he sat in “back near the door.” What does this symbolize?

6. Mr. Kernan refers to the lighting of a sacramental candle as “the magic-lantern business.” What does his attitude tell us about his belief?

7. What is the symbolism of the “distant speck of red light” in the Gardiner Street church?

8. Why does Purdon appear to be “struggling up” to the pulpit for his sermon?

9. Why does Joyce tell us the priest covers his face with hands when he prays towards the light?

10. What is ironic about the concept of a priest acing as a “spiritual accountant” for these men?

Answers
1. In the sense that grace connotes “graceful,” Kernan stumbles because he’s drunk. He lacks grace of the spiritual or physical kind.

2. For Kernan, his friends, and even Fr. Purdon, grace is seen as something superficial. Kernan believes that if he looks presentable on the surface, he can “pass muster.”

3. Even though Kernan has not been a good husband, Power is determined to keep the couple together; he acts as their bond.

4. All of the men consider spirituality a “business” matter, so it’s ironic and humorous that M’Coy would talk about priests as having “influence” with God!

5. Kernan was unable to actually approach the idea of salvation; his sitting near the door implies his figurative and literal distance from God.

6. Jesus said that he was the light of the world, but Kernan does not want to partake of the lighting ritual. This indicates his lack of commitment to the matter of salvation.

7. The red light in a church indicates the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. In this church, with these listeners, the sacrament is very “distant.”

8. He struggles because he is a corrupt priest who doesn’t belong in the pulpit.

9. His covering his face indicates his unworthiness to preach and lead a congregation. He’s unable to face the light of the Sacrament.

10. These men are so materialistic and unspiritual that they can only think in terms of money and accounts. It’s ironic and pathetic that they even think in terms of their souls as account ledgers.