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Overview
Synopsis
The first of Sean O’Casey’s Dublin plays, The Shadow of a Gunman takes place in May of 1920 during the Irish War for Independence. Set in a the tenement room of Donal Davoren (a poet) and his roommate Seumas Shields (a pedlar), the play explores one day of tensions in the streets of Dublin.
Donal is something of a mystery to his fellow tenants, consumed with writing while Seumas loads a case with hairpins to sell on the streets. In the midst of a normal day, Seumas’ friend Maguire bursts in, dropping off a bag and running away. Minnie Powell, a young woman alone in the world, flirts with Donal to inspire him to poetry. Tommy Owens arrives to flatter Donal and secure his own reputation as being a supporter of the Irish Republican Army. Mrs. Henderson drags Mr. Gallagher (from the neighboring building) to Donal for his approval of a complaint letter to the IRA regarding noisy neighbors - which he leaves in Donal’s care. Mrs. Grigson shows up in the evening looking for her husband, who then stumbles in drunk.
Together, these characters create a colorful image of the Irish Resistance - until there is a raid on the block by British forces.
Show Information
Context
Sean O'Casey's The Shadow of a Gunman emerged from his transition to playwriting around 1920, at the age of nearly 40, following two decades of activism in Irish nationalism, trade unionism, and socialism, influenced by figures like Jim Larkin and James Connolly. As a class-conscious internationalist rooted in republican ideals, O'Casey penned the play amid the betrayal of the Irish Revolution and the ensuing Civil War (1922–23), infusing it with a revolutionary-proletarian perspective that
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Characters
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s national theatre, founded in Dublin in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. It became a central hub for Irish cultural identity and the Irish Literary Revival. The theatre continues to promote new Irish plays and dramatists
An extended speech delivered by a single character, either to another character or the audience. Monologues are used for character development and to reveal inner thoughts.
A political ideology that has shaped theatre by promoting cultural identity, tradition, and patriotic themes.
An economic and political system advocating collective ownership, explored in drama for its ideals and contradictions.
The use of violence for political aims, depicted in theatre to challenge or reveal ideologies and social unrest.
A group of three connected dramatic works that develop a theme or narrative across multiple performances.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
Illusion vs. Reality
In Sean
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from The Shadow of a Gunman and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress