The Chalice Symbol Analysis

The chalice symbolizes the relationship between the Catholic faith and the community portrayed in “The Sisters.” In Roman Catholicism, chalices are used during Mass and in communion ceremonies. They are used in moments when priests convene with their parishes, when members of the church are invited to partake in religious ritual, which creates the possibility for the chalice to represent the harmonious union between a priest and his parish. But in this particular story, the chalice is only introduced when readers learn that the priest in question, Father Flynn, has accidentally broken it—presumably due to his deteriorating health. The chalice also appears during the priest’s wake, as he has been placed in the coffin “loosely gripping” the chalice. In both of these moments, the priest’s poor treatment of the chalice symbolically represents his poor treatment, or inability to properly tend to, the relationship between the Catholic church and the people of the local community.

Father Flynn’s loss of a grip on the Catholic faith parallels his loss of grip on his health. Indeed, Eliza, one of Father Flynn’s sisters, seems to believe that the priest’s mental health began deteriorating as a sort of divine punishment for having broken the chalice.  Joyce parallels Father Flynn’s health with the priest’s ability to function as a religious leader in order to drive home the point that just as it is time for the priest to die, it is also time for the Catholic faith to metaphorically die. Indeed, other characters such as Old Cotter and the narrator’s uncle seem to think that religious education and religiosity don’t have practical value in the modern world and discourage the narrator from spending too much time with Father Flynn. It is clear that the priest has been unable to effectively share the importance of the Catholic faith with his parishioners, demonstrating his inefficiency as a religious leader.