Gallagher In Little Cloud Essay Example

Joyce makes explicit references to circles throughout the narrative, such as using the word "circulated" in the first line and describing Lenehan's fixation on the moon with a double halo circling it.

"To reinforce the cyclical concept, Joyce later references a girl Corley used to see 'off the south circular.' The unity of a circle is eternal and restricted, mirroring the despair of Dublin. In 'A Little Cloud,' Little Chandler is confined, not just to stagnant Dublin but also to an unhappy marriage: 'He looked icily into his wife Annie's photograph, and it returned the chill. Indeed, she was attractive and her face was beautiful. However, he detected a certain pettiness in it.' He admires Gallaher, who has explored and witnessed the world beyond Dublin; Gallaher defied Dublin by escaping its confines."

Although no longer trapped in the city, like the protagonists in Two Gallants, the character mentioned is another example of arrested development, remaining stuck in the adolescent stage of life. Little Chandler shares this state of arrested development, displaying child-like characteristics such as his "white and small" hands and quiet voice, along with a glimpse of childish teeth when he smiles. Towards the end of the story, Little Chandler rebels and finds a disturbing outlet for his frustration. Joyce effectively employs interior monologue to convey Little Chandler's intense anger: "It was useless, useless! He was a prisoner for life. His arms trembled with anger and suddenly bending to the child's face he shouted: 'Stop!'" This act, while contrasting with Chandler's refined manners, demonstrates the extent of his dissatisfaction. This lack of fulfillment originates from his feeling trapped in Dublin, highlighting the severity of the city's

stagnancy. Another story within the collection that explores themes of rebellion and entrapment is Counterparts, where Farrington, similar to Chandler, finds himself stuck in an unfulfilling career as a clerk. Farrington excessively spends on alcohol throughout the story but by the night's end, he experiences feelings of humiliation and discontent, failing to even feel intoxicated.

"This highlights the futility of his existence as he drinks to escape the mundane nature of his life, but his earnings from an unsatisfying job are not enough to even get him drunk. Farrington also parallels Little Chandler through his unhappy marriage: 'His wife was a sharp-faced woman who bullied him when he was sober and was bullied by him when he was drunk.' Additionally, he vents his anger on his son, although the two characters differ greatly. Unlike Chandler, Farrington does appear to be a violent individual. He vigorously struck his son with a stick," in contrast to Chandler whose 'cheeks turned red with shame...'

Tears of remorse welled up in his eyes, symbolizing his deep regret. Another example of entrapment can be seen in Eveline, where she is not only metaphorically trapped like the other protagonists but also bound by duty to her abusive father. Eveline's fear of the unknown leads her to prefer a future of certain misery over the uncertain pursuit of happiness: "It was hard work - a hard life - but now that she was about to leave it she did not find it a wholly undesirable life." Each story in the collection addresses rebellion or entrapment, reflecting Joyce's negative views towards Dublin. It is evident that without leaving the capital city of Ireland, one cannot

thrive or progress. The arrested development of the Two Gallants and the increasing frustration leading to violence in Little Chandler and Farrington serve as prime examples. Read an analysis of Eveline by James Joyce here: Eveline by James Joyce. Joyce thoroughly explores these central themes and utilizes rebellion and frustration to portray the disparity of Dublin, repeatedly emphasizing that people become trapped: "You could do nothing in Dublin."Gallaher manages to escape, but Chandler praises him at first only to reveal his vulgarity. This makes the reader uncertain about the possibility of genuine success for the 'Dubliners', even beyond Dublin.