The Plough and the Stars CHARACTERS Jack Clitheroe: (a bricklayer), Commandant in the Irish Citizen Army Nora Clitheroe: his wife Peter Flynn: (a labourer), Nora’s uncle The Young Covey: (a fitter or person who assembles machinery), Clitheroe’s cousin and a socialist Bessie Burgess: (a Protestant and a street fruit-vendor) Mrs. Gogan: (a charwoman or cleaning lady) Mollser: Mrs. Gogan’s child who suffers from pulmonary tuberculosis or, as it was known then, consumption. She struggles to breathe and is dying of her illness. Fluther Good: (a carpenter) Lieut. Langon: (a Civil Servant), of the Irish Volunteers Corporal Stoddart: (a corporal in the British army – in the Wiltshire regiment) Sergeant Tinley: (a sergeant of the British army – in the Wiltshire regiment) Rosie Redmond: (a prostitute) A Bartender The Figure in the Window: (generally believed to be Padraig Pearse)

The Plough and the Stars was the banner of the Irish Citizens Army. James Connolly, co-founder of the Irish Citizen Army, said the significance of the banner was that a free Ireland would control its own destiny from the plough to the stars. The Irish Citizen Army, or ICA, was a small group of trained trade union volunteers from the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union established in Dublin for the defence of worker's demonstrations from the police.

O’Casey was passionate about improving the living conditions of Dublin’s working class. He joined the Irish Citizen’s Army (ICA) under the command of James Connolly, a man who shared these socialist views.

O’Casey disagreed with the nationalist belief that the Irish public should sacrifice themselves to defend the Irish State from British rule. This nationalist movement was led by Padraig Pearse and the Irish Volunteers. When the ICA joined with the Volunteers, O’Casey isolated himself from the organisation. In 1919 he published the History of the Irish Citizens Army. In it he wrote that their headquarters were ‘no longer the Headquarters of the Irish Labour movement, but the centre of Irish national disaffection.’

Plot The first two acts take place in November 1915, looking forward to the liberation of Ireland. The last two acts are set during the Easter rising in April 1916.

Act 1 Summary The first act is a representation of normal working-class life in early twentieth century Dublin. The majority of major characters are introduced. The act opens with Gossip by Mrs Gogan; a catholic charwoman. Some other characters introduced are: Fluther Good: a trade unionist and a carpenter. "The Young Covey:" an ardent communist a fitter; Jack Clitheroe, The Covey's uncle and a former member of the Irish Citizen Army, at that time led by James Connolly. There is also Nora Clitheroe; Jack Clitheroe's wife. Later in this act, Captain Brennan knocks on the door of the Clitheroes' home and asks to see "Commandant Clitheroe,“ which surprises Jack Clitheroe, as he was not aware he'd been promoted. Nora begs him not to answer the door, but he does, and meets Captain Brennan; a chicken butcher and a member of the Irish Citizen Army. Captain Brennan hands Jack Clitheroe telling him that he and his battalion are ordered to join General James Connolly at a meeting. Jack Clitheroe asks why he was not informed that he was made commandant. Captain Brennan claims he gave a letter Nora Clitheroe explaining his new promotion.

Act 2 Summary The setting is the interior of a public house. A political rally is in progress outside. From time to time an unnamed man is heard addressing the crowd. His words are taken from various speeches and writings of Patrick Pearse Rosie Redmond, a prostitute, is complaining to the barman that the meeting is bad for business. Peter Flynn, Fluther Good and Young Covey come in and leave again at intervals, having a quick drink during the speeches. Bessie Burgess and Mrs. Gogan also come in, and a fight breaks out between them. After they have left, Covey insults Rosie, leading to a row between him and Fluther. Jack Clitheroe, Lieutenant Langon and Captain Brennan enter the bar, in uniform and carrying The Plough and the Stars flag and a green, white and orange tricolour. They are so moved by the speeches that they are determined to face imprisonment, injury or death for Ireland. They drink quickly and leave again in time to march their respective companies away. Fluther leaves with Rosie.