Dubliners by James Joyce showing Dublin in a state of paralysis using a cultural-historical perspective.
...ke a foggy morning that just won’t seem to go away. This is best seen in “Counterparts” through the actions of the protagonist, Farrington. This story follows Farrington from work to the local bar (where he satisfies his alcoholism into a drunken stupor) and then home, where in taking out his anger from work [and life and general] by beating his son Tom. It becomes evident that his life is an endless quest for drink, and that the worst of his problems come during his anger after his stupor wears off. Farrington represents that lower to middle-class man/father who is drowned in troubles—financially, socially, and emotionally. Joyce presents his disgusting boss to the reader [Mr. Alleyne] to rouse sympathy. It is an instinct to feel for Farrington, and his almost pre-determined situation. But in the end, when he takes all his rage out on his young and innocent child, there is a realization: someday, Tom will end up exactly like Farrington, with the same troubles that his father had. He will inflict the same physical pain on his children or wife because of how he was raised; he will likely resort to alcoholism. It is this, a child’s propensity to act as his father did, that paralyzes Dublin. Farrington shows how weak male figures, susceptible to addictions and abuse, will only haunt the generations to come. In a similar yet contrasting way, Mrs. Kearney of “A Mother” shows Joyce’s view of parenting in a different manner. Mrs. Kearney is of a family of a slightly higher place in society. She is obviously a matriarch—she, unlike her husband, leads the family and makes the majority of the decisions for them. “A Mother” presents the burning desire and yearn for economic gain. Here, Mrs. Kearney attempts to use the Irish Revival to benefit her family [mostly herself] by having her daughter sing in a concert; in actuality, Mrs. Kearney is really living vicariously through her daughter in order to satisfy her own ulterior motives. Through her character, Joyce shows the selfishness of parents [and all other people, as well] to get what he or she wants. Mrs. Kearney attempts to capitalize on her daughter’s talent of singing; in doing so, she strips any passion that Kathleen may have. Mrs. Kearney shows that Dublin was a society fueled by economic desire; all other goals or aspirations were trampled on in lieu of this. Not once is Mrs. Kearney concerned over whether s...