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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Is This An Overview? Of Dubliners
A set of short stories that were meant to be derogatory references to the author’s ethnic group, the Irish. Sharing the various behaviors that the author disapproved off. Sharing how the people held themselves back. Sharing the disapproved ideas the Irish had on various topics. The original language used inhibited the publication of the stories. The references were meant to be derogatory, but the author still had nostalgia for Ireland, wanted to take part in the culture.
Caveats?
These are short stories, which means they contain little information. Usually have a single pivotal moment, leaving the potential development of characters for the reader to decide. The lessons about behavior, or the Irish, can be simple, open, and not limited to the Irish. Other lessons can be hidden, only to be revealed by a reader who knows the situation the characters were part of. The socioeconomic, political, and religious background of the characters.
Is This An Overview? Of The Sisters (Story 1)
A priest is dying. The priest had a friend, a young boy, the narrator. The priest had taught much to the boy, but the boy is ambivalent toward the priest. When the priest died, the boy was annoyed at feeling freedom by the death. Some said that the young boy should have friends of one’s own age. While talking to the sisters of the priest, the boy finds out that the priest’s mental health was declining for some time. What was the relationship between the boy and the priest? What did the priest do when the mental faculties were declining?
Is This An Overview? Of An Encounter (Story 2)
Boys caught up in the novelty of the Wild West. Interest that overrides the lessons they are meant to receive. Interest that gets them to skip school to play as if they are in the Wild West. While playing, the boys have an encounter, with a person who gives them a monologue. A monologue that changes what they think. A monologue that begins a change in how the boys interact, and their futures. What was the monologue about?
Boys caught up in the novelty of the Wild West. Interest that overrides the lessons they are meant to receive. Interest that gets them to skip school to play as if they are in the Wild West. While playing, the boys have an encounter, with a person who gives them a monologue. A monologue that changes what they think. A monologue that begins a change in how the boys interact, and their futures. What was the monologue about?
Is This An Overview? Of Araby (Story 3)
The narrator is infatuated. An infatuation that provides meaning to the days, and tries to seep out. It turns out that the person whom the narrator is infatuated with, is a nun. A disappointment, but the infatuation does not readily subside. The nun suggests going to the bazaar, to Araby, but the nun cannot go. The narrator decided to go, and get something for the nun. An uncle was supposed to take the narrator to Araby, but failed in this duty. The narrator goes to the market by oneself. Arrives at the bazaar late. The stalls closed. At an open stall, the narrator buys nothing. Why does the narrator not buy anything?
Is This An Overview? Of Eveline (Story 4)
Eveline is thinking of running away from home. Family life has become burdensome. Eveline is mistreated at home, and needs to work. The situation is difficult, but is seen in a different manner when running away has become an option. Running away has the appeal of being treated better, and the prospect of status that marriage would bring. Eveline and Frank have made arrangements to depart. But Eveline is hesitant. What choice does Eveline make?
The narrator is infatuated. An infatuation that provides meaning to the days, and tries to seep out. It turns out that the person whom the narrator is infatuated with, is a nun. A disappointment, but the infatuation does not readily subside. The nun suggests going to the bazaar, to Araby, but the nun cannot go. The narrator decided to go, and get something for the nun. An uncle was supposed to take the narrator to Araby, but failed in this duty. The narrator goes to the market by oneself. Arrives at the bazaar late. The stalls closed. At an open stall, the narrator buys nothing. Why does the narrator not buy anything?
Is This An Overview? Of Eveline (Story 4)
Eveline is thinking of running away from home. Family life has become burdensome. Eveline is mistreated at home, and needs to work. The situation is difficult, but is seen in a different manner when running away has become an option. Running away has the appeal of being treated better, and the prospect of status that marriage would bring. Eveline and Frank have made arrangements to depart. But Eveline is hesitant. What choice does Eveline make?
Is This An Overview? Of After The Race (Story 5)
A group of diverse friends go on a joy ride after the races. Going from party to party, some are for those of high status. Among the friends are wealthy individuals, those who are attempting to be integrated into the upper class, those who go to prestigious academies. But wealth and education are no indicators of wise decisions, as by next morning the wealthy are in poverty. What decisions are made by the friends to have such loses?
A group of diverse friends go on a joy ride after the races. Going from party to party, some are for those of high status. Among the friends are wealthy individuals, those who are attempting to be integrated into the upper class, those who go to prestigious academies. But wealth and education are no indicators of wise decisions, as by next morning the wealthy are in poverty. What decisions are made by the friends to have such loses?
Is This An Overview? Of Two Gallants (Story 6)
The friends are sharing gossip, speaking of romantic interests, with the conversation tending to be about a maid. A maid who pilfers cigarettes. The friends seem well, but appear to have few prospects. A plan is thought up to convince the maid to pilfer more than cigarettes. While alone and waiting to hear about the conclusion of the plan, one of the friend’s contemplates life, for something more stable. Does the maid go through with the plan?
The friends are sharing gossip, speaking of romantic interests, with the conversation tending to be about a maid. A maid who pilfers cigarettes. The friends seem well, but appear to have few prospects. A plan is thought up to convince the maid to pilfer more than cigarettes. While alone and waiting to hear about the conclusion of the plan, one of the friend’s contemplates life, for something more stable. Does the maid go through with the plan?
Is This An Overview? Of The Boarding House (Story 7)
Mrs. Mooney leaves Mr. Mooney after Mr. Mooney threatened Mrs. Mooney. Mrs. Mooney sets up a boarding house. A boarding house which Mrs. Mooney’s daughter, Polly, works in. Mrs. Mooney was respectful of Polly’s independence. But flirtations between Polly and the guests leads to an affair, leading to Mrs. Mooney’s intervention. Within their community, there would be problems with reputation should the affair become public, therefore the incident required reparations. What were the reparations?
Mrs. Mooney leaves Mr. Mooney after Mr. Mooney threatened Mrs. Mooney. Mrs. Mooney sets up a boarding house. A boarding house which Mrs. Mooney’s daughter, Polly, works in. Mrs. Mooney was respectful of Polly’s independence. But flirtations between Polly and the guests leads to an affair, leading to Mrs. Mooney’s intervention. Within their community, there would be problems with reputation should the affair become public, therefore the incident required reparations. What were the reparations?
Is This An Overview? Of A Little Cloud (Story 8)
Chandler is thinking about the forthcoming conversation with Gallaher, a friend who returned to Dublin after an eight year absence. Chandler’s personality is that of caution, to not struggle against fortune. Appreciates poetry, but is too shy to read some to Chandler’s wife. Within the conversation with Gallaher, Gallaher expresses the joy of travel and other curious tales. Gallaher wants Chandler to be more active in life, which does inspire Chandler to reflect on oneself. Can Chandler travel? Write poetry of ones’ own? What does Chandler decide to do?
Chandler is thinking about the forthcoming conversation with Gallaher, a friend who returned to Dublin after an eight year absence. Chandler’s personality is that of caution, to not struggle against fortune. Appreciates poetry, but is too shy to read some to Chandler’s wife. Within the conversation with Gallaher, Gallaher expresses the joy of travel and other curious tales. Gallaher wants Chandler to be more active in life, which does inspire Chandler to reflect on oneself. Can Chandler travel? Write poetry of ones’ own? What does Chandler decide to do?
Is This An Overview? Of Counterparts (Story 9)
Farrington is meant to copy a paper, and has already missed a deadline. Farrington’s boss demands the that copy be made soon. But Farrington cannot seem to copy the paper beyond a certain line. Rather than proceed with work, Farrington procrastinates. Drinks rather than works. Failing to complete the copy. Gets reprimanded. Then heads with others to visit drinking establishments. Why does Farrington fail to make the appropriate copy?
Is This An Overview? Of Clay (Story 10)
Maria is a peace-maker, as Maria is able to calm turbulent situations. An independent person, at a time when independence was not valued. Maria is off to a party, and purchased cake as a gift. The children ate theirs, but after accusing the children of theft, of eating more than their share, learned that the other cakes might have been left on the tram. In a time of merry, Maria is treated well. But society, those at the party, can see that Maria is missing something that is needed, that Maria is avoiding social obligations. In response, Maria gets a gift that is meant to inspire change. What gift is Maria given? What does society think Maria needs?
Is This An Overview? Of A Painful Case (Story 11)
James Duffy preference isolation, and has a personality to match. Rarely making public appearances. At a show, that lacks guests, met Sinico. Sinico and Duffy became friends who appreciated and enjoyed their conversations. Sinico was already married, therefore the friendship between Duffy and Sinico was acceptable. Sinico’s husband thought Duffy was trying to woe the daughter. During a conversation, with Duffy sharing the idea of the prominence of isolation of individuals. Sinico responded in a way that made Duffy believe more is wanted of their friendship. Duffy breaks off the friendship. Returning to the isolation that Duffy is well acquainted with. After four years, learns that Sinico has died. Why has Sinico died? What does Sinico’s death mean for Duffy?
James Duffy preference isolation, and has a personality to match. Rarely making public appearances. At a show, that lacks guests, met Sinico. Sinico and Duffy became friends who appreciated and enjoyed their conversations. Sinico was already married, therefore the friendship between Duffy and Sinico was acceptable. Sinico’s husband thought Duffy was trying to woe the daughter. During a conversation, with Duffy sharing the idea of the prominence of isolation of individuals. Sinico responded in a way that made Duffy believe more is wanted of their friendship. Duffy breaks off the friendship. Returning to the isolation that Duffy is well acquainted with. After four years, learns that Sinico has died. Why has Sinico died? What does Sinico’s death mean for Duffy?
Is This An Overview? Of Ivy Day In The Committee Room (Story 12)
Jack and O’Connor work in politics, and discuss with others who should lead the Irish. While discussing the political fate of the Irish, the group does not stay sober. Becoming drunk while making claims about uselessness, corruption, and tricky behavior of others. Along the way reminisce about a leader they respected, but who died. Who is Parnell and what did the people think of Parnell?
Jack and O’Connor work in politics, and discuss with others who should lead the Irish. While discussing the political fate of the Irish, the group does not stay sober. Becoming drunk while making claims about uselessness, corruption, and tricky behavior of others. Along the way reminisce about a leader they respected, but who died. Who is Parnell and what did the people think of Parnell?
Is This An Overview? Of A Mother (Story 13)
Kearney is the mother of an artist, Kathleen. Works at a society, that offers concerts where Kathleen is meant to take part in. The contract has stipulations, but the concerts lack an expected audience. Kearney fights to make sure that Kathleen gets paid the full amount, per the contract, no matter how many the concerts attract. Although being paid the appropriate amount is the subject, the object is social status. How much was Kathleen paid?
Kearney is the mother of an artist, Kathleen. Works at a society, that offers concerts where Kathleen is meant to take part in. The contract has stipulations, but the concerts lack an expected audience. Kearney fights to make sure that Kathleen gets paid the full amount, per the contract, no matter how many the concerts attract. Although being paid the appropriate amount is the subject, the object is social status. How much was Kathleen paid?
Is This An Overview? Of Grace (Story 14)
Kernan has lost grace. Of the physical and spiritual kind. Kernan has a fall, due to being a drunk. Kernan has lost socioeconomic status. Kernan’s friends think that the problems come from the spiritual. Kernan was a Protestant, until a conversion to Catholicism, but it was noted that Kernan did not fully take on Catholicism. Kernan’s friends think that a retreat, can restore the spiritual balance of Kernan. Does Kernan go on the retreat? What does Kernan think of God’s grace? What behavioral decision does Kernan do to rectify the situation?
Kernan has lost grace. Of the physical and spiritual kind. Kernan has a fall, due to being a drunk. Kernan has lost socioeconomic status. Kernan’s friends think that the problems come from the spiritual. Kernan was a Protestant, until a conversion to Catholicism, but it was noted that Kernan did not fully take on Catholicism. Kernan’s friends think that a retreat, can restore the spiritual balance of Kernan. Does Kernan go on the retreat? What does Kernan think of God’s grace? What behavioral decision does Kernan do to rectify the situation?
Is This An Overview? Of The Dead (Story 15)
Gabriel and Gretta are at an annual dance. Gabriel is generally self-absorbed, but notices that Gretta has an emotional response to a song. A song that makes Gretta reminisce about a boy, who loved Gretta, who Gretta think died for Gretta. Gabriel disapproved Gretta making a comparison between Gabriel and the dead boy. But then Gabriel thinks further about the story Gretta told, and tears fill Gabriel’s eyes. How does Gretta’s story change Gabriel?
Gabriel and Gretta are at an annual dance. Gabriel is generally self-absorbed, but notices that Gretta has an emotional response to a song. A song that makes Gretta reminisce about a boy, who loved Gretta, who Gretta think died for Gretta. Gabriel disapproved Gretta making a comparison between Gabriel and the dead boy. But then Gabriel thinks further about the story Gretta told, and tears fill Gabriel’s eyes. How does Gretta’s story change Gabriel?
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this after I had read Ulysses.
This book, if you were curious, is far "easier" to read and comprehend I suppose. With that there is a noticeable trade off. Joyce's prose is less playful, most of the time. There are quotes throughout that I found incredibly beautiful, and I enjoyed a good amount of the stories. But there were also a few that I found... Quite boring. I was actually really settling on 3 stars for this until... "The Dead".
The last story of this absolutely saved it from a 3 and shot it straight to a 4. It is the transition from Dubliners to Ulysses for me. Longer than the other stories found here, and not as complex as Ulysses, but it is THE reason to read this collection.
I gave Ulysses 3 stars despite it being one of the most playful, creative, and luxurious works of prose I have ever read. The Dead felt like everything I enjoyed in Ulysses without the niche allusions and boring downtime.
This book, if you were curious, is far "easier" to read and comprehend I suppose. With that there is a noticeable trade off. Joyce's prose is less playful, most of the time. There are quotes throughout that I found incredibly beautiful, and I enjoyed a good amount of the stories. But there were also a few that I found... Quite boring. I was actually really settling on 3 stars for this until... "The Dead".
The last story of this absolutely saved it from a 3 and shot it straight to a 4. It is the transition from Dubliners to Ulysses for me. Longer than the other stories found here, and not as complex as Ulysses, but it is THE reason to read this collection.
I gave Ulysses 3 stars despite it being one of the most playful, creative, and luxurious works of prose I have ever read. The Dead felt like everything I enjoyed in Ulysses without the niche allusions and boring downtime.
Не фанат збірок оповідань, а тут ще й доволі складно й нудно
I simply never knew what exactly these short stories meant but I enjoyed recognizing place names. When in Dublin ig!
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Interesting to read about Dublin then (also read when in Dublin) but didn’t find any of the stories to speak to me at all really. Honestly probably too stupid to understand it x
The characters are so invested with life that they threaten to live beyond the story. As i see it, the magic of Joyce's story craft thus is that he is able to make infinite life break and shine through the finitude in which choices are presented to us...
"in the particular is contained the universal"
"in the particular is contained the universal"
Sometimes he caught himself listening to the sound of his own voice. He thought that in her eyes he would ascent to an angelical stature; and, as he attached the fervent nature of his companion more and more closely to him, he heard the strange impersonal voice which he recognised as his own, insisting on the soul's incurable lonliness. We cannot give ourselves, it said: we are our own.
One of my favourite aspects in this collection was how Joyce stripped the Dubliners in his stories of the rose-tinted sentimentality that plagued the other Irish writers of his time. Of course, it's tempting to relieve any guilt from your country, especially when it's already under colonial siege by false ideas and stereotypes, but that causes a great disservice to the true lives of your people. Dublin and her inhabitants are paralyzed, and the smog of disillusionment and desperation that has descended upon the ground leaves them blind to see their misgivings. I loved how the characters were often, stuck even during the resolution, as we can see that same pattern in our own lives. That is most likely why, even as a work so specific to Ireland, this collection speaks for the entire world. It adheres to our universal reservations about our own cultures and countries, and it doesn't sugarcoat things or try to shift them to further an agenda. The stories were rife with allusive remarks and Ireland-specific inneundos, though I think that just added to the layers and layers of meaning this book had rather than making it elusive or difficult. Joyce set out, I think, to showcases a truth about the place he lived in, without filtering it or rationalizing it, and whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you.
There were so many different moods and impressions that he wished to express in verse. He felt them within him. He tried to weigh his soul to see if it was a poet's soul. Melancholy was the dominant note of his temperament, he thought, but it was a melancholy tempered by recurrences of faith and resignation and simple joy.
One of my favourite aspects in this collection was how Joyce stripped the Dubliners in his stories of the rose-tinted sentimentality that plagued the other Irish writers of his time. Of course, it's tempting to relieve any guilt from your country, especially when it's already under colonial siege by false ideas and stereotypes, but that causes a great disservice to the true lives of your people. Dublin and her inhabitants are paralyzed, and the smog of disillusionment and desperation that has descended upon the ground leaves them blind to see their misgivings. I loved how the characters were often, stuck even during the resolution, as we can see that same pattern in our own lives. That is most likely why, even as a work so specific to Ireland, this collection speaks for the entire world. It adheres to our universal reservations about our own cultures and countries, and it doesn't sugarcoat things or try to shift them to further an agenda. The stories were rife with allusive remarks and Ireland-specific inneundos, though I think that just added to the layers and layers of meaning this book had rather than making it elusive or difficult. Joyce set out, I think, to showcases a truth about the place he lived in, without filtering it or rationalizing it, and whether you choose to accept it or not is up to you.
There were so many different moods and impressions that he wished to express in verse. He felt them within him. He tried to weigh his soul to see if it was a poet's soul. Melancholy was the dominant note of his temperament, he thought, but it was a melancholy tempered by recurrences of faith and resignation and simple joy.