Dubliners Blog

Dubliners, by James Joyce is a collection of short stories depicting the lives of the Irish during a time of oppression and cruelty from the British. Joyce uses literary methods such as metaphors, symbolism, and even some aspects of poetry in order to convey the struggles that Irish citizens endured during the late 19th century. 

One short story of Joyce’s that was a favorite of mine was “Araby”. The use of young love and yearning as a metaphor for the Irish’s yearning for freedom really stuck out to me. As simple of a metaphor it is, Joyce’s writing allows readers to feel a deep connection from both perspectives.

As humans, we all have experienced the feeling of young love or yearning. The idea that you would do anything just to have that chance with the person you love or want. We have also felt the need and longing for freedom. Now even though the desire for freedom might not be the same freedom as the Irish were feeling during British rule, we understand the general sense. We can connect the feeling of Irish oppression to today’s societal rules and the threats against our rights as citizens. 

Joyce’s writing is incredibly moving and impactful. We can connect to the feelings of the situation that is being written about, what it is being compared to, and how we relate it to our own modern day lives and situations.

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