"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.
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