James Joyce writes his stories about the family in a way that reflects the early twentieth-century family and its effects on an individual within a family. Family is the single most important human need for happiness in this life. The concept of family holds importance because it is through the influence of a family that an individual comes to know the world around him/her. The family is the vehicle in which most individuals first develop their character in life. James Joyce’s idea of the family is unique to the world because it reflects the early twentieth century and the transformation that took place as the concept of family changed from the traditional to a more modern unity. It would seem that James Joyce emphasizes his idea of the early
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His father, John Joyce was a man of popularity and great income when James was born. However, to support a growing family, he had to mortgage much property in his business matters and his career declined as his alcohol consumption increased. John’s state of employment exemplified the horrible economic conditions of the 1890s and moreover the conditions reflected in James’s Dubliners. Dublin’s economic standpoint was deteriorating and according to William Blacker, “employment of a proper population [was of] a stronger case of public necessity that ever has been made out [to be]” (40). Therefore it seems logical that Joyce did not fault his father for their family’s circumstances, but instead had good reason to blame his country. The most hardening sorrow that the Joyce family had to bear was the loss of their brother to tuberculosis. According to James, George was the cheerful spirit of the family that could brighten any room from the gloominess that hung over Dublin (Kelly 607). After his death, James Joyce dedicated much of his time to writing poetry and giving lectures. …show more content…
Gabriel Conroy, the protagonist of sorts within “The Dead,” is noted as the “favourite” nephew by his aunts (Joyce 152). Gabriel therefore served as the patriarch of the family after many of his elder relatives have passed away. His mother, Ellen, is noted by his aunts to have been “the brains carrier of the Morkan family” (Joyce 162). She chose her sons’ names because she valued life and was very sensible of the dignity of family life. She had a very sullen outlook on Gabriel’s marriage to Gretta. However, it was Gretta that nursed Ellen in her last days of life. This instance of tender care for a dying loved one further emphasizes Joyce’s intentions in portraying the transitioning family. Joyce focuses on the psychological elements of the characters and their need to create a paralysis in their relationship where they are depressed and lonely. Joyce reflects the nature of the early twentieth century family through the family’s situations and furthermore as the characters work to help one another as they each deteriorate in one way or
His father, John Joyce was a man of popularity and great income when James was born. However, to support a growing family, he had to mortgage much property in his business matters and his career declined as his alcohol consumption increased. John’s state of employment exemplified the horrible economic conditions of the 1890s and moreover the conditions reflected in James’s Dubliners. Dublin’s economic standpoint was deteriorating and according to William Blacker, “employment of a proper population [was of] a stronger case of public necessity that ever has been made out [to be]” (40). Therefore it seems logical that Joyce did not fault his father for their family’s circumstances, but instead had good reason to blame his country. The most hardening sorrow that the Joyce family had to bear was the loss of their brother to tuberculosis. According to James, George was the cheerful spirit of the family that could brighten any room from the gloominess that hung over Dublin (Kelly 607). After his death, James Joyce dedicated much of his time to writing poetry and giving lectures. …show more content…
Gabriel Conroy, the protagonist of sorts within “The Dead,” is noted as the “favourite” nephew by his aunts (Joyce 152). Gabriel therefore served as the patriarch of the family after many of his elder relatives have passed away. His mother, Ellen, is noted by his aunts to have been “the brains carrier of the Morkan family” (Joyce 162). She chose her sons’ names because she valued life and was very sensible of the dignity of family life. She had a very sullen outlook on Gabriel’s marriage to Gretta. However, it was Gretta that nursed Ellen in her last days of life. This instance of tender care for a dying loved one further emphasizes Joyce’s intentions in portraying the transitioning family. Joyce focuses on the psychological elements of the characters and their need to create a paralysis in their relationship where they are depressed and lonely. Joyce reflects the nature of the early twentieth century family through the family’s situations and furthermore as the characters work to help one another as they each deteriorate in one way or