For me, 'The Sisters' seemed to depict the circularity of life and death. An older lion has passed away - has passed on his knowledge to a younger one. Before he died, Father Flynn wished to visit the house he was born in - he is returning to the beginning in a way. And that wheel also rolls on with the youth (the narrator) seeing during his visit the cycle of middle age (his aunt), old age (the sisters) and death (Flynn).
Interesting that Joyce titled the story, 'The Sisters.' It puts a different emphasis on things. I was struck by how little the sisters knew their brother and yet they are the remnants of his life - the keepers of his memory. Father Flynn was well-read, curious and persuasive - he has influenced the narrator - yet this questing, wide-ranging intellect causes him to seem dubious to others (Old Cotter). And his religio-intellectual life is utterly obscure to his sisters, who only remember him as 'disappointed' and that they will miss serving him his beef tea.
I agree. The 1904 version is much more about the sisters, and there Father Flynn's misogyny is clear. While they take care of him, he won't even talk to them. I can't say any of that remains unspoken in the 1914, as its been removed. The focus switches to the relationship with the boy and the question of Flynn's fitness as a human being. I see it as a bias against mental illness, but there are many who see something much more nefarious.
For me, 'The Sisters' seemed to depict the circularity of life and death. An older lion has passed away - has passed on his knowledge to a younger one. Before he died, Father Flynn wished to visit the house he was born in - he is returning to the beginning in a way. And that wheel also rolls on with the youth (the narrator) seeing during his visit the cycle of middle age (his aunt), old age (the sisters) and death (Flynn).
I like that.
Interesting that Joyce titled the story, 'The Sisters.' It puts a different emphasis on things. I was struck by how little the sisters knew their brother and yet they are the remnants of his life - the keepers of his memory. Father Flynn was well-read, curious and persuasive - he has influenced the narrator - yet this questing, wide-ranging intellect causes him to seem dubious to others (Old Cotter). And his religio-intellectual life is utterly obscure to his sisters, who only remember him as 'disappointed' and that they will miss serving him his beef tea.
I agree. The 1904 version is much more about the sisters, and there Father Flynn's misogyny is clear. While they take care of him, he won't even talk to them. I can't say any of that remains unspoken in the 1914, as its been removed. The focus switches to the relationship with the boy and the question of Flynn's fitness as a human being. I see it as a bias against mental illness, but there are many who see something much more nefarious.
FF's misogyny would put rather a different slant on things.
Oh right! I didn't know about the 1904 version.
Neither did I until this study. I provide a text version of the story here if you're interested.
Excellent. If you care to, you can read or listen to it here.