"Dubliners"

Book Review # 107439

English > Analysis
Literature > English

"Dubliners"

An analysis of the abusive relationships between men and women as portrayed in James Joyce's "Dubliners".

1,400 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how "Dubliners" by James Joyce explores the various stages of life through stories and how within these stages, different types of themes and conflicts are shown through various types of relationships. It discusses how Joyce provides insight into male relationships, showing how men feel about the single life, marriage and friendships and how the most interesting relationship he shows is between men and women. The paper contends that it is through this specific relationship that the reader sees all types of themes: abuse, lust, obsession, disappointment and that one common theme of Joyce's throughout the male and female relationships is that of abuse.

From the Paper:

"In "Araby," the narrator has a childish, boy-hood crush on a girl who is only referred to as "Mangan's older sister." The girl may not have been given a name to symbolize the mystery that surrounds her that the narrator finds so intriguing; she could also represent the unknown, and the narrator's fear of talking or communicating with her is the "fear of the unknown." Just the very sight of her walking out of her house was enough to make "my heart leap[ed]" (Joyce 21). He describes his fascination with her as "confused adoration," as he has definite feelings for her, but is perplexed as to what to say to her or what he can do for her to show his true feelings (22). She was constantly on his mind, as "her image accompanied me even in places the most hostile to romance;" by describing places as "hostile," he somewhat implies that romance is his enemy instead of a companion, something he wishes he had but feels as though it's a battle to gain it (21). "