the dead
Dubliners is considered a champion among books written in the English language. James Joyce's characterization of not only the people in the stories, but of Dublin itself, demonstrates his great ability as an author. Dubliners is not a book with a normal story line, a plot, and a definite climax and resolution. Instead, it is more of a setting, an atmosphere, an "epiphany" as Joyce called it. To understand the book, it is recommendable to focus on Irish history, and more specifically, Charles Stewart Parnell. He is a figure alluded to in this and other books by Joyce. He has been referred to as the "uncrowned king of Ireland."The series of short stories included in Dubliners depict a broken morale in and around the city of Dublin. The early 1900's marked a time of disheartened spirits not only in Dublin but all of Ireland. England still clutched Ireland under it's own control.. The citizens were bitter and dismayed. It wasn't until 1922 that Ireland freed itself from England. Up until that time, Ireland was occupied and ruled from Britain. The occupation had begun hundreds of years before, but from the end of the 18th century, a distinct Irish nationalism began to evolve. From 1801 onwards, Ireland had no Parliament of it's
After the potato famine in Ireland, a group was founded in 1858 known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Also known as the Fenians, they formed a secret society which rejected constitutional attempts to gain independence. Due to their somewhat forceful ways, the English courts in Ireland were kept busy with their Fenian prisoners. Their defense lawyer, Issac Butt, though not completely in accordance with the Fenian definition for independence, coined a new term referred to as "Home Rule." Out of this sparked the formation of the "Home Rule League." -But look here, John, said Mr O'Connor. Why should we welcome the king of England? Didn't Parnell himself... My intention was to write a chapter of the moral history of my country and I chose Dublin for the scene because that city seemed to be the centre of paralysis.(Budgen, pp.172) This caught the attention of the Fenians. Parnell, in sharing the same goal as the Fenians, took advantage of any opportunity that presented itself which gave him a chance to show his admiration of them. He managed to get support from them, and through this alliance, he was a step closer to his goal of uniting Irishmen from all over the world against England. The times are dead or dying, according to the old caretaker. All the stories in Dubliners revolve around that theme. They are disheartened not only for Parliaments consistent rejection of the several proposed Home Rule Acts, but because their "uncrowned king" was later betrayed.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Ireland Tell, James Duffy, Dubliners Hynes, James Joyce's, Didn't Parnell, O' Connor, Stewart Parnell, Rule Acts, Brotherhood Fenians, Thomas Davis, home rule, city dublin, ivy day committee, welcome king, king ireland, house commons, chose dublin, england ireland, stewart parnell, charles stewart parnell, uncrowned king, lawyer issac butt, short stories,
Approximate Word count = 1301
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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