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Why is Mallory's picture in the Unitied Irishman?

posted 13 years ago by poetryg2
3 replies | jump to latest

The United Irishman was an IRA newspaper. So why would they print Mallory's picture on the front page, plus reward for his capture? Why would they help the British find one of their own? What am I missing here? Is the IRA also after Mallory? Why? Do they consider him a traitor to the cause? If so, why? I don't think there is anywhere near enough evidence to suggest that Mallory betrayed Nolan. Even Leone's explanation of the final, idyllic, threesome scene dismisses such an interpretation. But this newspaper business is troublesome. I could understand a British newspaper printing Mallory's picture with reward, but not the IRA.

[–] nephihaha 13 years ago

Boastfulness?

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It's not "sci-fi", it's SF!

[–] poetryg2 13 years ago

Maybe. It could also serve as a warning to IRA members. But publishing Sean's picture would only aid those coveting the reward to identify him. If I were Sean, I'd be thinking, "Gee, thanks a lot for pointing me out to everyone. Now I have to run to Mexico on the double."

Of course it might just be a Leone mistake.

[–] Marmadukebagelhole 13 years ago

Possibly it was done without the knowledge that United Irishman was a nationalist newspaper but then again if the Brit endorsed newspapers and authorities have already circulated the reward notice then there's no reason for them not to also report it. It's just as newsworthy within a nationalist paper then since they are not an outlaw publication. Just a nationalist one.

Or perhaps rumors surrounding Mallory/Nolan may have confused the issue over who was in fact the informer. Nolan had obviously been beaten/tortured but, as some commentators have suggested, how was Nolan identified to the Brits in the first place? Could it have been a jealous Mallory? Possibly. If you accept the flashbacks of Mallory, Nolan and the girl are real, that is, the girl is real and not just a symbol of Nolan and Mallory's shared love of their ideals and of Ireland.