Paralysis in Dubliners and the Contributing Factors Essay Example

Introduction

Dubliners discuss various aspects of life for the people in Dublin. The stories portray a sense of pressure and sadness as people tend to conform to societal expectations (Joyce 18). Dubliners show a sequential arrangement of stories based on human life from childhood, adolescence, adulthood and public life. While different stories present various situations of light and darkness for the people, one evident theme is that of paralysis. The fundamental question that comes to mind is how paralysis is manifested in Dubliners and the contributing factors. In addressing this question, the paper analyzes various circumstances and situations in the stories as presented in the city, where doctrines, poverty, and life burdens paralyze the pursuance of the essential aspects of life such as love. Paralysis stands a central factor in Dubliners; however, lack money, family responsibilities, and pressures of society stand as the major contributors.

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The Manifestation of Paralysis: Causes and Effects

Paralysis, in its literal form, is the inability to make some movement from a problem of the nerves. Different stories in Dubliners clearly show the state in which the main protagonists in the various stories experience situations where they fail to make any desired progress, even though opportunities are manifest. Dublin as a city presents unpleasant and miserable conditions for the people; however, paralysis restrains them from making the change to improve their lives and situations (Joyce 26). Each condition is caused by different factors and has a unique alternative for escape. Poverty, societal pressures, and family responsibilities are the major factors that cause movement from a miserable life, thus creating some aspect of imprisonment in a meaningless life.

Paralysis is manifested in various ways throughout Dubliners. Poverty or the lack of money and particular societal inclinations and beliefs play significant roles in influencing the different natures of paralysis displayed in the stories. Dubliners have the stories arranged in a progression from childhood through adulthood. From the progress, it is evident that the nature of Dublin's life, especially for the middle and low class, has a significant impact on individual members across life. From childhood through adulthood, different people are limited from progressing in life, either through lack of money or certain conformities that the society has embedded into mind throughout their stay in Dublin (Walzl 34).

Poverty and Paralysis: The Impact of Financial Constraints

Poverty is a widely manifested problem that causes restrictions and imprisonment to people to the extent that getting out of it becomes pointless (Walzl 34). Besides, while not all situations of paralysis in Dubliners are contributed by lack of money, the feeling of helplessness remains manifest among many. A significant number of residents are stuck in different situations despite lacking happiness in such circumstances. In numerous instances, different individuals have felt like escaping, but their inability to escape has remained a reality due to various factors attributed to societal pressures, responsibilities, and poverty.

The Church's Role in Paralysis: Imprisonment through Doctrine

As a social norm, the church is regarded as a limiting factor to the residents of Dublin. The church exerts significant control over the people and makes them not to have a life for themselves other than what the church dictates. Undoubtedly, every child desires to live and experience all that childhood brings fully. In the story The Sisters, Father Flynn, albeit teaching the boy, it is evident the teaching seems to paralyze the boy. Having spent much time with Father Flynn, the teachings received have indeed molded the boy to become the person the church expects of him both in behavior and character (Joyce 38). Nonetheless, the boy lacks any free time to live his childhood as is the norm. The loss of free childhood time for the church teachings as dictated by the pressures of the society is a form of paralysis that has imprisoned the boy. Despite the desire to enjoy his childhood, having to spend most of his time taking lessons from Father Flynn is a limitation. Upon Flynn's deaths, it is evident that the boy experiences some form of relief. While there is a need for establishing a strong relationship with the church, it should not become imprisonment such that one lacks the freedom of life. The societal dictates through the church should not exhibit control over people while infringing on their freedom (Walzl 54).

Eveline's Paralyzed Escape: Love, Fear, and Uncertainty

Eveline, a resident of Dublin, has lost the mother who left her to care for the family. Being in the teenage, the girl struggles with poverty and other difficult situations in society to support the family (Joyce 54). Although the father is alive, he is unappreciative, and this situation burdens Eveline even further. Having promised her mother that she would keep the family together, Everline is paralyzed by such a wish as she is unable to seek a better life for herself. In this situation, family responsibility becomes the primary factor that contributes to her paralysis. Despite working hard to provide for the family, Everline gets insufficient funds that cannot cater for her needs and those of the family. Intuitively, the fact that she cannot make any progress in terms of improving her life despite working hard justifies that poverty is a paralyzing factor (Walzl 58). Undoubtedly, poverty and family responsibilities are vital factors that contribute to Eveline's paralyzed state and miserable life in Dublin.

Eveline gets an opportunity to escape from Dublin hoping to improve her life and that of her lover Frank. However, she is unable to adapt to the new life that love presents as she experiences a physical paralysis from feeling numbness. Principally, the uncertainties surrounding her new life and the fear of the unknown become the paralyzing factors that deny her the chance to get out of the oppressive future in Dublin. Similar to the situation that her mother experienced before passing away, Everline together with most women in the Dublin women are compelled by family and societal constraints to do responsibilities they do not approve of themselves. In particular, the Dublin women fail to make any meaning to their lives despite various opportunities available to them. The mere fact that family and the society have certain inclined expectations from them limit their progress in life, a situation regarded as paralysis.

Marriage in "Eveline," opens an opportunity to escape the challenging life of Dublin. However, in "The Boarding House," marriage becomes more of a societal requirement and a trap not to leave Dublin. Mr. Doran is a Christian but continues to have a sexual affair with Polly, a 19-year-old girl. Polly's mother is aware of the relationship from the beginning but does not want to intervene as she wants the affair to become stronger. When the wishes finally come to pass, Polly's mother forces Mr. Doran into marrying her daughter. For the women in Dublin, a daughters' marriage is a major concern, considering that virginity is highly valued for the girl's honor. Such an occurrence is entirely an attribute of societal affiliations and norms that demand that a girl's increases her value when she finally gets married (Walzl 102). Considering the difficulty of marriage at the time, the fear of losing his job and getting himself involved in relationships scandals before marriage are the contributing factors to Mr. Doran's marriage to Polly.

Chandler's Family Responsibilities: The Sacrifice of Dreams

Another critical challenge that Mr. Doran faces is the socio-economic disparity between Polly and himself (Joyce 62). Although the two belong to the same social classes, Polly has a low level of education as compared to Mr. Doran. As indicated in the text, Mr. Doran prefers marrying the uneducated lady. Further, the book reveals that Mr. Doran has little interest in Polly being his wife as all his arguments point towards Polly's level of education and that his members of the family despising him because of his relationship with Polly. Although reasons that the family offer for their dislike for the relationship is aligned to Mr. Doran's selfish interests, such situations are also attributed to the societal pressure that dictates and influence social status. At the same time, the religious expectations of Dr. Doran is a force that compels him to marry Polly, and this situation paralyzes his desires and hopes even further.

Reportedly, Mr. Doran has not married Polly intentionally the consequences of not being into any meaningful relationship has compelled him to do that. Since he works for the Catholic Church, the societal perception is that he should be moral. Exposing his relationship with Polly would make him lose his job. Moreover, although he is not poor, the process through which he makes money especially through his job seems to paralyze him and hinders him from attaining his life desires (Walzl 78). Principally, the only way he can free himself from such bondages is to escape. Unfortunately, he cannot due to the social pressures attached to the situation. As a result, he bows to the pressure and marries Polly. This situation as reported in the text makes him continue suffering.

As depicted in "A Little Cloud," marriage and family responsibilities are other factors that paralyze in Dublin. Principally, Chandler is a promising journalist who dreams that his poetry works will be published in the future. Nonetheless, given that he is the sole provider for the family who depends on him for social and monetary support, he decides to stay in Dublin where he has a steady job. In this situation, family responsibility is regarded as a paralyzing factor that limits Chandler from leaving Dublin to go and fulfill his dream and fulfill his heart desires (Walzl 81).

Paralysis affects various human aspects, and the impacts could be physical, emotional, and economical. Either way, it detrimentally affects individuals. Chandler's physical paralysis is evident in his inability to grow physically just like his friend Gallaher. Reportedly, Gallaher is a symbol of success, who unlike Chandler got out of Dublin to search for a better life. As illustrated in the text, he left Dublin to seek better opportunities in Britain. Since then, he has developed grown both financially and physically. The significant difference between Chandler and Gallaher is in the entrapping situation in Dublin that Chandler currently experiences (Walzl 81). Chandler has a spendthrift wife who may make him experience some financial difficulty in the futures. Such a situation has forced him to remain committed to his job so that he can get money and provide for the family. This situation indicates that marriage and family responsibilities are significant factors that paralyzed Chandler and compelled him to continue with his stay in Dublin despite being sure that he can better his life once he leaves Dublin.

Epiphanies and Paralysis: Revelations and Distracted Realities

Epiphanies are used continuously in Dubliners to reveal the universal truths from everyday occurrences. Just like the case of Eveline, upon realizing that she did not have any other hope to turn around her situation after failing to escape with Frank, Chandler experienced the same condition when he was unable to enjoy poetry, the only meaningful thing to his life. In appreciating the different poetry works, Chandler finds a small escape; however, even then, the cries of his child distract him further. Principally, attending to his parental responsibility also hinders him from enjoying poetry to the maximum.

The Paralyzing Power of Poverty: Farrington's Struggles in "Counterparts"

The "Counterparts" is another story in the Dubliners that describes the aspect of the paralyzing power in Dublin as caused by poverty and the lack of money. Farrington, a scrivener in a legal office, is committed to his job despite experiencing numerous challenges. In particular, regular abuse from his tyrannical boss Mr. Alleyne is a significant challenge that he grapples with in his office. On the same day, he also faces financial struggles as he has unpaid bills and debts to pay. He becomes overwhelmed by both the demands of his job and the financial issues that threaten to derail it. This compounded with his indecision leads to feelings of paralysis.

Farrington's job as a scrivener is repetitive and unfulfilling, leaving him exhausted and frustrated at work. Mr. Alleyne frequently berates and humiliates Farrington, further compounding his feelings of powerlessness. Yet Farrington stays put because his income must support himself and his family; due to limited education or skills available elsewhere, he feels trapped.

Financial challenges compound Farrington's frustration. He's faced with mounting bills and debts that weigh heavily upon him; to meet them he must remain stuck in an unfulfilling job that does not give him joy or satisfaction; his inability to break free from poverty leaves him living a life full of misery and despair.

Dubliners explores paralysis from all perspectives; not just that of individual characters. Dublin is depicted as a stagnant environment teeming with tradition, social norms, and religious dogma that make breaking free difficult while fulfilling personal dreams is seen throughout.

Dublin's paralysis can also be seen in its economic and political state, with few opportunities for social mobility in its economy and limited prospects for social advancement. Lack of economic progress combined with persistent poverty contribute to an overwhelming sense of helplessness felt by its characters who feel trapped within an unfavorable system that offers little hope of improvement or advancement.

Conclusion

Paralysis is an enduring theme in James Joyce's Dubliners and can be seen manifested in various forms throughout its stories. Poverty, social pressures, and family obligations all play a part in making people feel powerless over their circumstances; being unable to escape them results in feelings of imprisonment and hopelessness that lead them into despair and imprisonment. Dublin itself perpetuates this paralysis with its social norms, economic stagnation, and oppressive religious influence - James Joyce's Dubliners serves as an insightful representation of these obstacles that hinder individuals trying to pursue happiness and fulfillment in their pursuits of happiness and fulfillment.