"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.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
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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