Analysis Of Annie O 'Donnell's Letter To Jim'

Correspondence through letter writing is a very imperative method of communication. Letter writing allows to analysis the thoughts, emotions and human experiences felt by the (party) involved. This document is a primary document, with all primary documents one but be vigilant to recognise any bias that may occur. This document is a letter written from a young girl, originally from Spiddal, Co. Galway who immigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . Her name is Annie O’Donnell. Annie’s letters are penned to her soon to be husband Jim.

Through emigrant letters such as these we can see clearly the emotional journey emigration is. Annie expresses loneliness in her letter to Jim. Phases such as “I choose my friends” and recalling her school days

She begins her weight in 1898 by stating “In the winter of ’98 I weigh 116 pounds”. Her weight further increasing by 39.5 pounds in the two years she was residing in Pennsylvania. The perception of beauty was in the late 1800 was that of a clenched waist yet plump a figure in which seemed to suit her 5ft 6” frame. Annie giving description of her weight was not only meant to flatter her soon to be husband, but also as a means to let him be aware of the higher standard of living that she is achieving. In saying this, Irish emigrants held a higher advantage over other European immigrants. They were of a stronger build, due to their staple diet of potatoes and buttermilk . However more crucial than their diet was the ability to speak English. This was a great advantage to Irish emigrants in America.

The figures for emigration in Irish is alarming and dramatic and can often be taken for granted. By 1890 there were 3 million Irish people obtaining residences outside of Ireland. In the time frame in which Annie emigrated, she was among 4 million other Irish natives who went overseas to seek. The mass exodus and the staggering emigration levels along with the infrequent and late marriages produced a drastic decline in the Irish

From context that has been gathered, Jim and Annie only met on the Journey over. This journey would have taken about three weeks. In this short space of time a romance budded into a relationship that will soon turn to marriage. Affection can be caught in the letter through phrases such as “my dear Jim” and how she signs off the letter by “close with love”. The way in which relationships in the 1800 began can be noted for the minimal amount of communication. Yet, despise this many relationships still flourish through one letter a month means of