Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis

Many suffered during the famine's first year, but few died, thanks to Peel's importation of corn. None believed the blight could survive the winter. Farmers and laborers planted their new potatoes somewhat anxiously nonetheless. They knew the total harvest that year would be smaller because some had been forced to eat their seed potatoes. They watched the broad flat leaves of the potato plants, saw their purple flowers bloom, and thought of the harvest to come. In the meantime, Peel was replaced by a staunch laissez-faire advocate, Lord John Russell, who, in the face of continued starvation, refused to import more corn, saying the Irish were accustomed to doing with less during the lean summer months between harvests. The poorest families, when the harvest came, had their potatoes boiled right out of the pot. Family members peeled off the skin and...