"She felt a soft wet substance with her fingers and was surprised that nobody spoke or took off her bandage. There was a pause for a few seconds; then a great deal of scuffling and whispering. Somebody said something about the garden, and at last Mrs Donnelly said something very cross to one of the next-door girls and told her to throw it out at once: that was no play. "
-Clay page 101
In "Clay" Joyce takes his reader through the maturation of his characters. In his earlier stories, his characters- children, adolescents and then young adults- each experience several defining, symbolic and metaphorical moments. Clay is a story about being grown up and how different the situations are when you are older. As children, the characters wouldn't have been afraid to laugh about or even mention the touching of the clay, but as adults, they feel that in order to deal with the situation properly they should avoid it entirely.
Joyce uses particular diction and rushed but flowing syntax to create the scene. The word ‘bandage’ implies that Maria has suffered from a wound and needs healing and help in recovering. Its metaphorical of what she has endured with being robbed and now with picking the clay; a symbol of death. Joyce uses pathos in order to create a deep feeling of pity and sympathy for Maria. The use of bandage with ambiguous imagery also recreates the feeling of being blind for the reader. Joyce’s use of flowing and vague syntax also creates an air of awkwardness among the party’s guests.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday October 17th
"-Who is that? said the man, peering through the darkness.
-Me, pa.
-Who are you? Charlie?
-No, pa. Tom."
- Counterparts, Page 93
In this scene, Joyce embodies the character of Farrington fully. He has set Farrington's drinking with the idea of this rough, detached man, clearly not fit to be a father as demonstrated in the story's ending, and epitomizes the archetype of the drunk, abusive father. This small exchange, in which he can not tell his sons apart, personifies Farrington's disinterest in his children and lays the framework for the ending.
By using rough diction and short sentences that create foreshadowing, Joyce appeals to the reader’s sense of sympathy in the exchange between Farrington and his son. The way Farrington words the question “Who are you? Charlie?” makes him sound gruff, irritated and careless. Joyce’s choice of the words ‘who are you’ further infer that Farrington is not around often enough to know his children on any deeper level than their names. The demanding tone in his voice, coupled with the reader’s knowledge of his intoxication, foreshadows the ending to “Counterparts.”
-Me, pa.
-Who are you? Charlie?
-No, pa. Tom."
- Counterparts, Page 93
In this scene, Joyce embodies the character of Farrington fully. He has set Farrington's drinking with the idea of this rough, detached man, clearly not fit to be a father as demonstrated in the story's ending, and epitomizes the archetype of the drunk, abusive father. This small exchange, in which he can not tell his sons apart, personifies Farrington's disinterest in his children and lays the framework for the ending.
By using rough diction and short sentences that create foreshadowing, Joyce appeals to the reader’s sense of sympathy in the exchange between Farrington and his son. The way Farrington words the question “Who are you? Charlie?” makes him sound gruff, irritated and careless. Joyce’s choice of the words ‘who are you’ further infer that Farrington is not around often enough to know his children on any deeper level than their names. The demanding tone in his voice, coupled with the reader’s knowledge of his intoxication, foreshadows the ending to “Counterparts.”
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Friday October 10th
“Little Chandler’s thoughts ever since lunchtime had been of his meeting with Gallaher, of Gallaher’s invitation and of the great city London where Gallaher lived. He was called Little Chandler because, though he was but slightly under the average satutre, he gave one the idea of being a little man.” – A Little Cloud, lines 8-12
The description of Gallaher and Little Chandler is an important passage because it sets up a contrasting existence between the two men. Throughout the rest of “A Little Cloud”, Little Chandler spends his time with Gallaher in awe and admiration at all the life experiences Gallaher has had and he has missed out on. The fact that Gallaher began his adventures in London is prominent because the Irish people felt oppressed by the British, giving Gallaher a sense of esteem and importance. The description of Chandler as ‘Little’ also implies that he has had a narrow view of his life and has experienced very little. At the end of the story, Little Chandler comes into the realization that his life is lacking any real excitement and this is catalyzed by his meeting with Gallaher and the opening of his eyes.
Joyce uses contrasting diction and syntax as well as repetition in this passage in order to convey his meaning. The constant use of Gallaher’s name coupled with the flow of the sentence; give an aura to Gallaher that goes beyond the description of Little Chandler. The use of ‘little’ in Chandlers name creates an air of childishness and limitation, therefore stunting the characters growth and establishing him as ‘below’ Gallaher.
The description of Gallaher and Little Chandler is an important passage because it sets up a contrasting existence between the two men. Throughout the rest of “A Little Cloud”, Little Chandler spends his time with Gallaher in awe and admiration at all the life experiences Gallaher has had and he has missed out on. The fact that Gallaher began his adventures in London is prominent because the Irish people felt oppressed by the British, giving Gallaher a sense of esteem and importance. The description of Chandler as ‘Little’ also implies that he has had a narrow view of his life and has experienced very little. At the end of the story, Little Chandler comes into the realization that his life is lacking any real excitement and this is catalyzed by his meeting with Gallaher and the opening of his eyes.
Joyce uses contrasting diction and syntax as well as repetition in this passage in order to convey his meaning. The constant use of Gallaher’s name coupled with the flow of the sentence; give an aura to Gallaher that goes beyond the description of Little Chandler. The use of ‘little’ in Chandlers name creates an air of childishness and limitation, therefore stunting the characters growth and establishing him as ‘below’ Gallaher.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Friday September 26th
"Corley halted at the first lamp and stared grimly before him. Then with a grave gesture he extended a hand towards the light and, smiling, opened it slowly to the gaze of his disciple. A small gold coin shone in the palm."
Two Gallants, lines 378- 381
The passage of the gold coin is an important passage pertaining to the book because it represents the idea that it was okay to use thievery as a means of rising above poverty. The men in this story spend the entire time loafing around, complaining about the state of their lives, wanting better, but the only thing they do about it is coerce a working girl to steal from her boss' house and give the money to them.
Rhetorically, Joyce uses syntax, diction and imagery in this passage to convey his meaning. Everything leading up to the moment where the coin is revealed is described as dark, dreary and miserable, but at the moment the coin comes into view, it 'shines'. Reinforcing the idea that money is everything to those oppressed and meager people living in the Dublin area. Also the word choice of ‘disciple’ suggests that everyone is looking for someone to show them a way to find money without having to work too hard for it.
Two Gallants, lines 378- 381
The passage of the gold coin is an important passage pertaining to the book because it represents the idea that it was okay to use thievery as a means of rising above poverty. The men in this story spend the entire time loafing around, complaining about the state of their lives, wanting better, but the only thing they do about it is coerce a working girl to steal from her boss' house and give the money to them.
Rhetorically, Joyce uses syntax, diction and imagery in this passage to convey his meaning. Everything leading up to the moment where the coin is revealed is described as dark, dreary and miserable, but at the moment the coin comes into view, it 'shines'. Reinforcing the idea that money is everything to those oppressed and meager people living in the Dublin area. Also the word choice of ‘disciple’ suggests that everyone is looking for someone to show them a way to find money without having to work too hard for it.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday September 19th
"But she wanted to live. Why should she be unhappy? She had a right to happiness. Frank would take her in his arms, fold her in his arms. He would save her."
-Eveline page 33
This quote relates to the story of Eveline by showing her desire to find a different way of life. Previously she had been filling in as mother at home, where she was in charge of the little ones and the abusive father. Instead of relying on herself to make her life better, Eveline epitomizes the stereotypical dependent woman of the early 1900's; who longs for a life within grasp, but is too mentally weak to take it for and by herself.
Eveline finds comfort and solace in the new life she imagines with Frank. His arms, wrapping around her, was metaphorically her way of convincing herself that leaving with him would make the horrible life she knew disappear. But being with him could not shield her from the truth that she was not ready to start living her life outside of what she knew. Eveline tries to use Frank as a reason to leave but can not go through with it because the possibility of change was too much for her.
-Eveline page 33
This quote relates to the story of Eveline by showing her desire to find a different way of life. Previously she had been filling in as mother at home, where she was in charge of the little ones and the abusive father. Instead of relying on herself to make her life better, Eveline epitomizes the stereotypical dependent woman of the early 1900's; who longs for a life within grasp, but is too mentally weak to take it for and by herself.
Eveline finds comfort and solace in the new life she imagines with Frank. His arms, wrapping around her, was metaphorically her way of convincing herself that leaving with him would make the horrible life she knew disappear. But being with him could not shield her from the truth that she was not ready to start living her life outside of what she knew. Eveline tries to use Frank as a reason to leave but can not go through with it because the possibility of change was too much for her.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Friday September 12th
"The adventures related in the literature of the Wild West were remote from my nature but, at least, they opened doors of escape. I liked better some American detective stories which were traversed from time to time by unkempt fierce and beautiful girls." - An Encounter, page 12
In relation to the Dubliners as a whole, this passage illustrates the desire of each character to be somewhere they're not, living a life that they are not. This passage is key to the theme of each character using a different mental method of escape to find adventure in the life they live.
In “An Encounter”, the main character uses the Wild West literature as a symbol of his escape into a more interesting life. Using the work of literature, he can create a new reality for himself, which slowly begins to become to life. This passage proves to be important because, throughout the story, the main character uses the Wild West tale as a model for his own adventure, which begins in him a development to live on ‘the edge.’
In relation to the Dubliners as a whole, this passage illustrates the desire of each character to be somewhere they're not, living a life that they are not. This passage is key to the theme of each character using a different mental method of escape to find adventure in the life they live.
In “An Encounter”, the main character uses the Wild West literature as a symbol of his escape into a more interesting life. Using the work of literature, he can create a new reality for himself, which slowly begins to become to life. This passage proves to be important because, throughout the story, the main character uses the Wild West tale as a model for his own adventure, which begins in him a development to live on ‘the edge.’
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