James Joyce
James Joyce Short Story Comparison
The Little Cloud (pg. 71-88)
Counterparts by James Joyce (pg. 89-102)
Whether it is in reality or a novel, it is very common that when people are unsatisfied with their lives, they tend to take their anger out on those around them. This is just a typical emotional response for many people. In both Counterparts and The Little Cloud by James Joyce the main male protagonists, in their stage in life, are depressed and have the same emotional response to their lives indignities. The short stories Counterparts and The Little Cloud deal with the topic of similar characters. James Joyce explores the idea of the characters being a like in the aspects of their stage in life, sadness/depression and emotion response.
Every person is at a different stage in their lives at different times. In the stories Counterparts and The Little Cloud both the men are at basically the same stage in their lives. Each of the characters are married with kids. They also both have stable jobs in their career paths. In Counterparts, Farrington speaks about his wife and children. It is understood that he is married through multiple quotes through out the story. “His wife was a little sharp-faces woman who bullied her husband when he was sober and was bullied by him when he was drunk. They had five children.” (Counterparts 101) This shows that he is at a stage in his life which he has mature relationships and a stable enough job to support his family. Similarly, in The Little Cloud, the main character is to implied to be around the same stage in his life. In the beginning of the story, the main character, little Chandler is at work, although he dreads it, this means that he is far enough along in his life to hold a firm career. When little Chandler is speaking to his friend, Ignatius Gallaher, he mentions that his is married with children and wishes he would come to dinner one day. Chandler goes on to
The Little Cloud (pg. 71-88)
Counterparts by James Joyce (pg. 89-102)
Whether it is in reality or a novel, it is very common that when people are unsatisfied with their lives, they tend to take their anger out on those around them. This is just a typical emotional response for many people. In both Counterparts and The Little Cloud by James Joyce the main male protagonists, in their stage in life, are depressed and have the same emotional response to their lives indignities. The short stories Counterparts and The Little Cloud deal with the topic of similar characters. James Joyce explores the idea of the characters being a like in the aspects of their stage in life, sadness/depression and emotion response.
Every person is at a different stage in their lives at different times. In the stories Counterparts and The Little Cloud both the men are at basically the same stage in their lives. Each of the characters are married with kids. They also both have stable jobs in their career paths. In Counterparts, Farrington speaks about his wife and children. It is understood that he is married through multiple quotes through out the story. “His wife was a little sharp-faces woman who bullied her husband when he was sober and was bullied by him when he was drunk. They had five children.” (Counterparts 101) This shows that he is at a stage in his life which he has mature relationships and a stable enough job to support his family. Similarly, in The Little Cloud, the main character is to implied to be around the same stage in his life. In the beginning of the story, the main character, little Chandler is at work, although he dreads it, this means that he is far enough along in his life to hold a firm career. When little Chandler is speaking to his friend, Ignatius Gallaher, he mentions that his is married with children and wishes he would come to dinner one day. Chandler goes on to
Cited: Joyce, J. (1916). Dubliners : The Little Cloud (pp. 71-88). N.p.: Orange Street Press. Joyce, J. (1916). Dubliners : Counterparts (pp. 89-102). N.p.: Orange Street Press.