Maria

A detailed Summary of Maria

In the present day we worship our so-called heroes whether they be political figures, entertainment icons or athletic superstars to a degree that can be rivaled with the ancient Greek's fascination with their gods. Our role models are usually those which whom society has labeled as being powerful, talented, brave or even good looking; people considered worthy of being praised by a mass audience. And as the ideologies of a society are mirrored into its literature, one can say that it is this love affair with the romantic notion of a "hero" that makes James Joyce's Maria in his short story "Clay" the unlikely heroine. For, it can be said that a true hero is one who is courageous enough to make the most of what life has given them and have the strength to come to terms with their fate.

Joyce's Maria is homely rather than beautiful. She is neither wealthy nor powerful and seems to have no outstanding quali

At a time of religious persecution, economic struggle and hunger in Ireland, Joyce has brought to life a female character who finds happiness in the simpler things in life and values what she does have instead of focusing on what she does not. She does not spend time distressing over the fact that she must work next to prostitutes but instead turns her attention to the small conservatory at the laundry. "She had lovely ferns and wax plants and, whenever anyone came to visit her, she always gave the visitor one or two slips from her conservatory." Perhaps at one point during her younger years she had envisioned her future differently, as a wife. Joyce illustrates this when he writes, "Maria had to laugh and say she didn't want any ring or man either; and when she laughed her grey-green eyes sparkled with disappointed shyness and the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin." However she does not dwell on what she once expec

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ireland Joyce, Unlikely Heroine, Joyce's Maria, Maria Irish, Dublin Lamplight, Mary Bible, James Joyce, joyce's maria, unlikely heroine,

Approximate Word count = 628
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Maria

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