Origins of the Theme of Betrayal in
James Joyce’s Dubliners
Throughout his early years, certain people and events heightened Joyce’s awareness of the hopelessly corrupt environment of Ireland that had betrayed so many of its own. The more profound of these enlightening inspirations were the betrayal and downfall of Charles Stewart Parnell, the indifference of Henrik Ibsen towards literary protests, the neglected native artistry of James Clarence Mangan, and Joyce’s own role as Prefect. These occurrences provoked Joyce’s bitter resentment towards Ireland, initiating the gradual alienation towards his church and homeland. The issue of betrayal is prevalent throughout Dubliners, for Joyce imagined it, hated it, and feared it.
James Joyce was born into a country dominated by England, and the cause of Irish freedom captured his imagination at an early age. The spokesman for this cause was Charles Stewart Parnell, who became a heroic figure to......
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Approximate Word Count: 2887
Approximate Pages: 12 (260 words per double-spaced page) |