Dubliners by James JoyceK. Waller 2012

Dublin. Late 1800’s.

Below are questions on the first four stories. You should answer these in your journals. For the rest of the stories, you will be working in pairs to write your own guiding questions. You should also have at least three quotes to look at in detail with each story as you guide students through a discussion of their responses. You will need to email the class your questions at least four days before your group will present. We shall then investigate The Dead as a full class and look at the film adaptation.

“The Sisters”

  1. Who is the narrator? What is his relationship with the sisters? With the priest?
  2. Why did Father Flynn die? Describe his character.
  3. Why do you think James Joyce uses his first name in the text?
  4. What is the function of the ellipses and motif of silence?
  5. What religious symbolism is used and why?
  6. Was there “something gone wrong” with Father Flynn or not? What makes you think one way or another?

“An Encounter”

  1. What is the function of the Wild West in the story?
  2. Who is the “we”?
  3. What is the function of “slang” and “accent[s]” in the text?
  4. What is the function of the sea nad the sailors?
  5. What is the “encounter”?
  6. Why does the narrator have a bad taste in his mouth when the man says, “Every boy…has a little sweatheart”?
  7. What is the secretive aspect of what the man is saying?
  8. What is the function of silence?
  9. Why does the man want to whip boys?

“Araby”

  1. How is the atmosphere set up?
  2. For whom does the narrator have “confused adoration” for? Why?
  3. Where are there elements of magic or “enchantment” in the text?
  4. How do sound and silence function in the text?
  5. What is the meaning of the last paragraph? Why does the narrator feel this way?

“Eveline”

  1. What is the function of reflection? When do you see it in the text?
  2. What is the function of the one-word exclamations? (ie Home!)
  3. How does Eveline feel about Frank?
  4. How does Eveline feel about her family and her home?
  5. Is Eveline’s staying an active decision or passive action?
  6. Should she stay or should she go?

Royal Canal, Dublin. 1902.