Irish Potato Famine

Description: 

In September of 1845, in Ireland a potato crop began rotting and it resulted in what is historically known as the Great Hunger. This traumatic historical event resulted in one million deaths and caused more millions of people to migrate from different countries between countries North America and Great Britain. This event shows significance to the topic of trauma related in “The Body Snatchers” because communities watched millions of people die, losing those they loved and had to continue with their lives and find stability in whatever manner they needed to. In the story, characters like Fettes also experienced a traumatic event and proceeded with his life finding a sense of stability for himself through drinking and remaining secretive regarding his experience.

Associated Place(s)

Part of Group:

Artist: 

  • James Mahony

Image Date: 

20 Feb 1847