Joyce's Simple Narrative Voice In James Joyce's 'Dubliners'

Seldom hyperbolic, Joyce’s simple narrative voice is used to retain focus on the experiences and subjectivity of the characters in the short stories of Dubliners, a collection of the everyday observations on the denizens of Dublin. In keeping his stories parallel to their realistic daily lives, Joyce’s plots derive from his characters’ conflict between their individual ambitions and the bleak reality of their stagnating, declining city to which they are bound. The title is almost written ironically; though each main character is a Dubliner, they are far removed from the label. The protagonists, members of a new generation of Dubliners, are created and told in a way that disconnects them from the rest of Dublin society. But despite the round

Reflected by the tense, the consequences of her remaining in Dublin are far more definite and comfortable. With Dublin “she knew the air,” (22) remembering with clarity her mother’s last words, and her own promise to take care of the household. Before the final epiphany, Eveline relies on the comfort of the church “to direct her, to show her what was her duty,” (23) personal interest aside. In contrast with the other stories, Eveline is a victim more of her own Dubliner mindset, which manifests “now that she was about to leave” (21) although she could go freely. Concerned with duty and whether she could “draw back after all [Frank] had done for her,” (23) she stands stolid faced with her own decisions. Like “a helpless animal,” (23) Eveline is paralyzed with indecision and remains in Dublin. The impact that the city has had on her mind: the sense of duty and nostalgia, the ready-made decisions, and the familiar life, combats fiercely with any personal reason to leave, however compelling it may