After reading several stories from James Joyces Dubliners, many of the themes are similar. There is not usually an enormous plot, because all of his stories are about working people in Dublin. Every story has a very important theme that he brings out through his description of these regular peoples actions and through the setting. He does not use a normal story line, a plot, or a definite climax and resolution. In the story Counterparts, he uses the theme of regular peoples lives, religion and alcoholism, all of which are recurring themes in his other stories. Every aspect of Farringtons life has no hope for improvement. He is scolded because he didnt finish a contract in time. His job is done half hearted, without any passion.
Farrington is a clerk who copies legal documents by hand. While being reprimanded by Mr. Alleyne, his only answers were mumbling sentences that did not stand up for himself. The way he talks demonstrates his lack of excitement he has to live. Farrington did not finish the contract in time, but handed it in without the last two pages, hoping nobody would notice. When Alleyne comes down to reprimand him for not finishing the contract, Farrington attempts to stick up for himself.
Mr. Alleyne asks the rhetorical question Do you think me an utter fool? Farrington answers quickly with I dont think sir, that thats a fair question to put to me. Mr. Alleyne is embarrassed because Miss Delacour is in the room. There were rumors that Miss Delacour was having an affair with Mr. Alleyne. The rumors said that he was dating her because she was a wealthy lady.
The Essay on Human Nature Social Contract People
Different schools of thought have generated arguments since the beginning of civilization. They represent different perspectives of every part of life, whether its religion or politics. The realist school and the humanist perspectives offer people different views in many different aspects. The realist school is based on the thought that human nature is not perfectible. Human nature is viewed as ...
Now if he did not apologize to Mr. Alleyne, he would be fired, but Farrington doesnt care. His thoughts are not on his job, but on how he is going to get drunk. The theme of alcoholism shows up throughout the story. After Farringtons first scolding by his manager, he takes a break and makes a quick stop at ONeills shop for a glass of port. He could not wait until after work for a drink.
After leaving the office, he tries to find money so that he could quench his thirst. Farrington knows that he cannot ask for an advancement on his paycheck, so he pawns his watch, receives six shillings, and dives into a raucous night. Farrington is the man of the night because he tells his friends OHalloran and paddy Leonard about how he stood up to Mr. Alleyne in front of Miss Delacour. Just when everything was going right, a young man named Weathers challenges him to an arm wrestle. He returns home angry and unhappy because he loses. When he gets home, Joyce shows how the effects of alcoholism affect not just the alcoholic.
As he makes his way home, he thinks about his day with anger and vengefulness. Talking back to his manager, pawning his watch, and spending all his money were just some of the events that discontented Farrington. His wife is out when he gets home, and dinner is not ready for him. This frustrates him even further, and has to take his anger out on something. Farringtons son is willing to make dinner for his father, but he just needed to release his anger. He took a walking stick and beat the little boy. It is ironic because while being beaten, his son screams Ill say a Hail Mary for you pa, if you dont beat me This brings in his theme of religion.
It plays a large part in Dublins regular, working class people. Farringons son demonstrates the importance of religion because he does not fight his father, but just tells him that he will pray for him. Another illustration of religion in their lives is when Farrington gets home from bar hopping. His wife isnt home because she is at the chapel. This shows that the people of Dublin go to the chapel and pray all the time. The regular people put much faith in religion. Joyce did an amazing job explaining the hardships of regular peoples lives. He showed the social, economical and emotional sides of these working peoples lives.
The Term Paper on Improve Their Lives People Religion Burke
"Nearly everyone has some conception of religion. In fact, sometimes it appears that there are as many definitions of it as there are people" (Schmidt 9). Not only does each person have his or her own way of defining religion; each person has his or her own way of practicing religion. Studying these different practices can be difficult. There have been many people who have studied religion and ...
