James Joyce Research Paper

James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (1882 – 1941) is arguable one of Irelands most famed and influential writers. His career is that of a vast one and has seen the publication of such literary greats as ‘Dubliners’ (1914), ‘The Portrait of the Artist a Young Man’ (1916) and ‘Ulysses’ (1922). The following essay will look at ‘Dubliners’ in particular. It will delve into ‘how the theme of dysfunctional families is explored’ in relation to two stories – Eveline and Counterparts. It will briefly look at the life of James Joyce and give a brief account of Dubliners itself.

James Joyce:

James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (1882 – 1941) was born on February 2nd 1882 in Terenure Dublin, to a wealthy, middle class family. His education was that of an extensive one. In 1888, at the age of six, Joyce was enrolled into Clongowes Wood College in Sallins, Co. Kildare – a Jesuit school. However, he was soon forced to leave, as his family endured great hardship and in turn had to move to the north inner city of Dublin. Joyce was subsequently enrolled into Belvedere College.

Both Eveline and Tom (Farrington’s son) have endured abuse at the hands of their fathers, who have violent and alcoholic tendencies. These tendencies inducing dysfunction within the home. Perhaps Joyce drew inspiration from his own childhood/ adolescences, when using the father figure character to portray such theme, as his own father John Joyce was known to be fond of drink. After all, as mentioned earlier on in this report Joyce often based his stories on events and people linked to his own life. Both Eveline and Counterparts explore a number of themes each as important as the next. It is through analysing these themes, including the theme of dysfunctional families that an understanding of Dubliners can be