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The word “artistes” symbolizes Mrs. Kearney’s upper-class pretensions and lack of genuine regard for Irish Nationalism. The French term appears in italics nine times throughout “A Mother,” and only Mrs Kearney ever speaks it out loud. When juxtaposed with descriptions of the subpar performers at the four concerts, it serves as an ironic reminder that Mrs Kearney is not used to being around lower-class people and that she is incapable of adjusting her expectations to changing circumstances. Moreover, although she is involved in the Irish Nationalist movement, Joyce never depicts her actually speaking any Irish. Instead, she turns to French, the language she learned at her “high-class” convent. Since Irish knowledge usually indicated a poor, working-class, or politically radical Irish person in late-19th- and early-20th-century Dublin, Mrs Kearney’s French makes her stick out among the Irish Nationalists, revealing how little she actually cares about the cause compared to how much she cares about the recognition it brings her and her family.
Artistes Quotes in A Mother
The A Mother quotes below all refer to the symbol of Artistes. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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A Mother
Quotes
When she had an opportunity she called Mr Holohan aside and asked him to tell her what it meant. Mr Holohan did not know what it meant. He said that the Committee had made a mistake in arranging for four concerts: four was too many.
“And the artistes!” said Mrs Kearney. “Of course they are doing their best, but really they are no good.”
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Artistes Symbol Timeline in A Mother
The timeline below shows where the symbol Artistes appears in A Mother. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
A Mother
...the bills for the concert and order the performers. With her “tact,” she decides which “artistes” should go in what order and how the bills advertise them, putting some performers’ names...
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As Mr Holohan pops in and out, reporting box office numbers to Mr Fitzpatrick, the “artistes” talk nervously amongst themselves. At almost half past eight, the few people waiting in the...
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...concerts, since four seem to be too many. Mrs Kearney tells Mr Holohan that the “artistes” performing are not good, and Mr Holohan agrees. He tells her that the Committee has...
(full context)
...the dear knows,” and Mrs Kearney has to report back to the dressing-room as the “artistes” begin to arrive at the theater.
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...ring” if her daughter doesn’t receive full pay. Though she will feel bad for the “artistes,” it is the only thing to do. She tries to appeal to the second tenor...
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