Dubliners By James Joyce s Dubliners - 1419 Words

James Joyce’s Dubliners is an assortment of brief stories in which he criticizes twentieth century Dublin. In these stories, Joyce analyzes the paralysis that entices the characters in Dublin and forbids them from accomplishing their desires and goals; rather than relentlessly trying to conquer the obstacles that stand in their way, they give up on achieving their goals in all. During this time period, many gender inequalities are occurring, and women are often brushed-aside by society and more often than not, are not given nearly any of the same opportunities as the men are given. The women in this society know that despite the degree of any effort put forward to improve their positions in society, they will likely fail. Due to knowing†¦show more content†¦Kearney who stand up for themselves and fight for their rights of being a woman, none the less a human being, are in turn judged and criticized unfairly. Twentieth century Dublin is gender paralyzing, and womanâ₠¬â„¢s opportunities are very limited during this time. Jane Miller notes that when women are judged and criticized for standing up for themselves and for their beliefs that this effectively illustrates â€Å"the social and economic position of middle-class women in Dublin at the turn of the century† (Joyce 349). Mrs. Kearney is portrayed through out the entire â€Å"A Mother† as an outsider who is trying to get on the inside and as someone who not matter what she does, cannot escape the horrible gender inequalities. Throughout the entire short story, there is a great deal of paralysis caused by the large amount of gender inequalities in Dublin at that time. Mrs. Kearney is very different from the other women in Dubliners who too suffer from gender-discrimination Mrs. Kearney tries to speak out and actually have a dominant voice in the male-dominated, woman oppressed society that she lives in. She tries to uphold her power, authority and her edge and to gain dominance in the male-dominated society and she tries to find herself in a position in the society that is beyond her determined gender role. Her efforts are failed when Mr. Holohan rejects her and exclaims, â€Å"I thought you were a lady,† (Joyce 390). This comment is the unquestionable affirmation of