Paper Summary:

This paper reviews James Joyces' novel "Dubliners" and in particular how the paralysis represented is both physical and emotional and is often associated with isolation. It examines how the characters are very human, and how Joyce was not afraid to give his characters many flaws although they are not likeable and are often in a form of emotional state. It analyzes how Joyce felt paralysis was a sin of sorts, a type of wrongdoing of the spirit that caused people to stagnate and fail. It shows how it is hard to relate to many of his characters because of their sheer lack of desire for progression and how their isolation would be considered pitiable, if they were more sympathetic. It evaluates whether these people could find redemption if they lived just about anywhere else except Dublin. Instead they are destined to live out their lives there, isolated from themselves, each other and humanity.

From the Paper:

"One of the possible problems for redemption of the characters is that they seem rather disinterested in changing their lives, they are static and for the most part seem to prefer the status quo. The few characters that do seem to want to break the mold that Dublin has forced upon them are incapable of transformation. Little Chandler in "Little Cloud" is the best example of this type. He claims to want to be like Gallaher, but rather than try, he assumes that he cannot escape his life since it too late for him, and besides, he has furniture to pay for (Joyce, 70)."

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