The Struggle For Children In James Joyce's Dubliners

During the early 20th century when James Joyce wrote his collection of short stories know as Dubliners, Ireland was suffering from oppression under Britain’s rule and influences of the Catholic Church. These external forces shaped the way the Dubliners viewed their lives and their ability to make any significant changes in them. This was especially difficult for children because of their blind innocence. Although the children in Joyce’s Dubliners had opportunities to grow and change, nevertheless they did not take advantage of these opportunities because they had become disillusioned by the paralysis in others around them.

The main character and narrator of “The Sisters” is a young, nameless boy who at first seems deeply involved with the death of Father Flynn. He also seems completely unaware of the corruption the priest has had on his life, however the reader is aware of the situation through the priest’s description and from comments made by Old Cotter, “It’s bad for children” to be so close with “a man like that” (Joyce11). Although never directly said, it can be argued that the priest treated the young boy in an inappropriate sexual manner. By the end of the story the boy is seemingly detached from the situation. At the priest’s funeral he “hesitated to enter” but eventually “went in on tiptoe” where he “pretended to pray” because he “could not gather his thoughts” (Joyce 14). This shows that the boy is shaken by his friend’s death, but wants to also avoid the situation.

The story of “Araby” is told by another young and nameless boy who is so deeply longing for adventure. His whole life has become entranced on his thoughts of a girl and when he will finally get the chance to have a true conversation with her. ...

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...ine”. She was forced to face vital and inevitable decision but was unable to do so. “This group is the logical outcome of the previous one in that the characters are already so injured by their experience with society that voluntary choice is almost impossible for them. Past traditions or present conventionalities immobilize them” (Walzl 4).

These three stories are filled with uncertainty and realizations of desolate, unpromising futures. According to Joyce, this was the reality children in Dublin were facing. Stricken with poverty and the strong hold the Catholic Church had on them, the children of the early 20th century had no hope in having an enjoyable life. Although they would search time and time again for a chance to escape, they never found what they were looking for as the oppression of Dublin and it’s adults refused to allow them such opportunities.