Dubliners Essay
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In James Joyce's short story collection Dubliners, one of the key themes is the relationship between a child and his/her parents. Whether unconditional love or neglect, a parent can undoubtedly have a profound affect upon his/her child's growth and development, but a child's view towards his/her parents must also be taken into consideration as far as psychological growth is concerned. Is blind devotion to one's parents in a child's best interest? Can satisfying only the image that one's parents present and ignoring one's own personal desires truly lead to spiritual satisfaction? Joyce suggests that unconditional loyalty to one's parents may lead to more harm than good, and through this familial conflict arises a potent metaphor for the political climate in Ireland.
The fourth story in Dubliners, simply titled "Eveline," is a prime example of how unhappiness may result from disregarding the potential for one's own personal pleasure. Eveline is a young Irish girl who, when offered a chance at happiness, instead chooses to remain trapped within the confines of her old life, caring for her oft inebriated father. Loyalty to her father seems to be the driving force behind her decision, misguided though it may be. Eveline could achieve freedom and happiness, instead of gathering dust alongside the various knickknacks scattered throughout her home, but she instead chooses to remain "true" to her family, sacrificing herself in the process.
"Eveline" is the prime example of the paralysis found within the parent/child relationship within Dubliners...