Blog #6

"They thought they had only a girl to deal with and that, therefore, they could ride roughshod over her. But she would show them their mistake. They wouldn't have dared to have treated her like that if she had been a man. But she would see that her daughter got her rights: she wouldn't be fooled." (A Mother)

Mrs. Kearney has pursued the organizers of the concert, reminding them that Kathleen must be paid in full despite the changes in the amount of performances. Here she expresses her determination in seeing the contract fulfilled. She fixates on the gendered context of the situation. All of the organizers, who have been dodging Mrs. Kearney's inquires, are men. Therefore, Mrs. Kearney sees her treatment as biased and manipulative. Mrs. Kearney wants to “show” the men their poor judgment of her ability. Following up with the agreement of the contract isn't enough, she must publicly point out their mistake by leaving the stage with her daughter. This is a selfish act because she's only doing this to make a point, not considering her daughter's feelings of the situation. The theme of men verses women or "natural power" comes into play, but it seems Joyce uses Mrs. Kearney to illustrate how women are inferior to men and when women try to show their ability, they fool themselves.
The parallel construction of this quote illustrates on a formal level a confrontational, competitive approach that both helps and weakens Mrs. Kearney's attempt. The first sentence begins with “they,” followed by a sentence that begins with “but she.” This move from the party of men to Mrs. Kearney, a move repeated in the third and fourth sentences, evokes Mrs. Kearney's defensive mindset. “They” may do this, “but she” will counter. This use of diction and syntax puts the reader in her head and acts as a rallying cry for Mrs. Kearney, yet it also serves to undercut sympathy for her character. The repeated call for revenge highlights Mrs. Kearney's self-concern that overrides concern for Kathleen. Like “an angry stone,” Mrs. Kearney will not soften to the circumstances and reconsider. Like other characters in Dubliners, she will continue to live according to her own routine. Her character is similar to Mrs. Mooney in "The Boarding House" as they are both female protagonists who challenge the reader to consider their point of view and see things differently.

Blog #5

"When he gained the crest of the Magazine Hill he halted and looked along the river towards Dublin, the lights of which burned redly and hospitably in the cold night. He looked down the slope and, at the base, in the shadow of the wall of the Park, he saw some human figures lying. Those venal and furtive loves filled him with despair. He gnawed the rectitude if his life; he felt that he had been outcast from life's feast... He felt that he was alone." (A Painful Case)

Mr. Duffy is a man who doesn't like change and lives a life of consistincy and plainess. His first real relationship that he has is with Mrs. Sinico, but he doesn't realize the benefits of it, just the uncomfortable situations he put him in. After learning that she dies of a broken heart, he's walking in the park and see these lovers. They are not really specific people, but rather human figures that make the scene universal. It conveys the theme of love and its bitter woes and sweet highs. Seeing the lovers reminds Mr. Duffy of his self-imposed exclusion from companionship. The diction of this quote articulates Mr. Duffy's relentless spite for physical expression with others. The words describe the situation as sort of fleshly and secretive as the lovers are in the shadows. The theme of life and death and their cycles is displayed. Mr. Duffy sees the living, is reminded of the dead Mrs. Sinico by the lovers, and thinks about his own life. Mr. Duffy's circular thoughts bring back all the repetitve things that comprise his life and that made no space for the sharing of feelings.

The imagery of eating in this quote suggests the importance of reciprocity and union that is so absent in this story. The physical act of eating is an activity that Mr. Duffy tries to control. Yet Mr. Duffy must "gnaw on his rectitude" because he has nothing else and because his rectitude is the root of his exclusion. In living in such a restrained way, he can't tolerate the change that love brings or the emotional output that is demanded. As a result, Mr. Duffy must watch others feast and share in the consumption of the many things the world has to offer, while he remains alone.

Blog #4

A very sullen-faced man stood at the corner of O'Connell Bridge waiting for the little Sandymount train to take him home. He was full of smoldering anger and revengefulness. He felt humiliated and discontented; he did not even feel drunk; and he had only twopence in his pocket. He cursed everything. He had done for himself in the office, pawned his watch, spent all his money; and he had not even got drunk. He began to feel thirsty again and he longed to be back again in the hot reeking public-house. He had lost his reputation as a strong man, having been defeated twice by a mere boy. His fury nearly choked him. (Counterparts)

The root of Farrington's violent and explosive behavior is the circular experience of routine and repetition that defines his life. Farrington's job is based on duplication as he copies documents. His experiences at the pub where he was hoping for an escape only further symbolized routine. He repeats the story of the confrontation with Mr. Alleyne to his friends, who then also repeat it. Following the “round” tradition in which each person in a group takes turns buying drinks for everyone, he keeps spending money and consumes more alcohol. The presence of Weathers, who takes advantage of this system, makes Farrington realize how such tradition and repetition literally rob him. Joyce uses Farrington as a microcosm of what the people of Ireland are facing. He symbolizes the anger that is growing from their dull, receptive lives. Mr. Alleyne symbolizes the British and their demanding rule that’s the catalyst of all their problems. Joyce displays what occurs with all this frustration as Farrington beats his son at the end of the story.

Joyce uses adjectives like heavy, dark, and dirty to describe Farrington. This diction helps the reader understand how much frustration and anger the character has. Joyce refers to Farrington both by his name and as “the man” throughout the story. Farrington, in a sense, acts as an exchangeable or general type, both a specific man and everyman. Joyce’s diction suggests the idea that what Farrington does is common and nothing unique.