Dubliners and Wee Folk 7:31

My First Protestant by Frank O'Connor

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.” ― Garrison Keillor


The Plain Facts

1. Length:8 pages.
   
2. Genre:Irish Literature


3. Characters:
   
   
   • Winifried Jackson Protestant Girl
   • Dan Daly: Winifried's Catholic Boyfriend.
   • The Narrator Mr. Hogan (The Active Observer).


4. Setting:County Cork Ireland

So, what's It About Man?

We find a schism between religion, Catholic v. Protestant. The story is a love story between Catholics and Protestants. O'Connor examines what religion can do to a girl and a boy when the schism lands them in no man's land. Also shows that religion with out the gospel are Sunday Morning Arguments.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead

First Words

It was when I was doing a line with Maire Daly that I first came to know Winifred Jackson.

Last Words

A man and woman in search of something are always blown apart, but it's the same wind that blows them.

Favorite Quote

A man and woman in search of something are always blown apart, but it's the same wind that blows them.

Analysis of Story

The story is told from the point of view of an active observer who witnesses the schism between Catholic and Protestant Youth. Winifried and Dan have everything in common.  But are divided by their family's faith, one is Catholic and one protestant. bhe same wind, Jesus Christ blows them. But, they observe their religions differently. This different point of view on the same thing blows them in separate directions. O'Connor's last line in the story could be a proverb of twentieth century Ireland."A man and woman in search of something are always blown apart, but it's the same wind that blows them."(206)