Dubliners

Several of the stories deal with parent-child relationships. In what ways are the various familial dynamics in Dubliners representative of larger systems of authority in the world of the collection? How does Joyce use the relationships between parents and children in his stories to contribute to the collection’s thematic engagement with Imbalances of Power?

Many of these characters fall victim to their own internal failings. Choose a character from one of the stories and explore the ways in which Joyce juxtaposes their external circumstance with their internal failings to form a clear character arc.

Why do you think it’s so difficult for some of Joyce’s characters to leave Dublin? In what ways does Joyce represent The Inertia and Paralysis of the Mundane as the defining characteristic of his home city? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Try rewriting one of these stories by setting it in your hometown or city. Imagine how the setting would change the characters’ attitudes, backgrounds, and the choices that they make.

Many of these characters are affected directly or indirectly by addiction to alcohol. How does Joyce’s use alcohol as a motif to reinforce the themes of his collection?

Several of Joyce’s characters—such as the narrator of “Araby,” Mr. Duffy, and Gabriel Conroy—are driven to feelings of isolation and despair in their romantic encounters, highlighting The Futility of Love and Infatuation. What does Joyce suggest makes love or the idea of love so isolating? Does Joyce ever present love as something positive in the collection?

Several stories depict friendships or groups of friends born out of necessity or circumstance rather than real affection. What does Joyce’s portrayal of friendship communicate about the role of human connection in his work?

Spend time researching the historical and cultural context of Dubliners’ publication. What made this collection so contentious when it was first released? How has the discourse around these stories changed between its publication and today?