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.