BR 3-6: Dubliners

One sentence read: Love between man and man is not possible because there mush be no sex; man and woman cannot be friends because there must be sex. (p.29)

This book has six stories, and I'll introduce Eveline and A painful case.

Eveline 

     There is a depressed woman in her tiresome life. Her father is always beating her with the strongest power he has and threatening her to give him money while she is only a 19 year-old girl. When he feels good, he deals her with some kindness, but it's up to his condition. Fortunately, there is a meeting with a guy called Frank, which gives her another way of life. He wants her to start living in Buenos Aires. It also means she can run away from her father's violence. When she leaves her house, it takes her back to her recollection with her dear mother, and then she determines to give up living with her boyfriend.
     As we read this kind of ups and downs story, it's tempting to think that a protagonist should gain better choice. In this case, though life with her boyfriend seems to be going well, it turns into her unhappiness in her mind. I suspect she doesn't want to leave his father because his madness doesn't come from his hate for her, but from the severe condition. Even if a member of a family becomes unfavorably, their family can't disgrace their bond. If you were her, which ways would you choose a happy life or a miserable life?

A painful case 

     Mr Duff  lives in a quiet countryside which is far from the center of Dublin. He devotes himself on reading books. Nothing special days passes, and he doesn't have any interest in the outside. One evening, he was at a concert, and met a woman who looks intelligent and calm. Then, he saw her after a few weeks at the same theater again. Gradually, he opens his mind to her and starts sharing each other's situation. The woman has a husband who often leaves home due to his business, and a daughter who is enthusiastic about her lessons. As you can see, she has no connection which allows her to comfort her spirit. The situation is similar to Mr Duff, so they're getting closer and closer. One night, they're sure that they love each other, but he knows that he has to prevent any situation with her. After that, they don't see any more. After a while, he read a newspaper which says she dies of an accident and her marriage life isn't good. At last, he learns that he should love her with his utmost love.
     There is a saying,'Birds of a feather flock together.' Mr Duff finds himself getting into herself as he spends time together. However, they pay attention to each other's life too much to have a happy life.


Joyce, James. Dubliners. (1993). London; Penguin Books.