Individuality in "After the Race"
by Nathaniel P., Jonathan C., and Thomas M.
Of all the stories present in Dubliners, the concept of individuality, or in this case the distinct lack thereof, is most present in After the Race. Throughout the story it is apparent to the reader that Jimmy (the Irish protagonist) has no real say in what’s going on but is content anyways, happy to be party to such established men as Ségouin (the Frenchman) , Routh (the Englishman), Farley (the American), and Villona (the Hungarian). Obviously these men stand for their representative countries, but that’s another matter entierly. This feeling of “grateful inferiority” is perhaps most obvious when the reader is told that “They [Ségouin and Jimmy] were not much more than acquaintances as yet but Jimmy found great pleasure in the society of one who had seen so much of the world and was reputed to own some of the biggest hotels in France.” Jimmy, like Ireland, does his best to fit in with the rest of the party but, despite his best efforts, is held at best as an accidental companion by the more established men, despite the fact that they are the foreigners and Jimmy is the native. This lack of self is most present when the men are gambling on Farley’s yacht. Jimmy is so inebriated that, though he realizes that he is losing terribly, he feels powerless to cash in what he has left and leave, thus choosing by default to stay and lose almost all that he has on him. This is made clear when we are told that“Jimmy felt obscurely the lack of an audience: the wit was flashing. Play ran very high and paper began to pass. Jimmy did not know exactly who was winning but he knew that he was losing.” The game’s winners are, of course, the Frenchman and Englishman, and despite having lost his belongings as well as his sense of self, Jimmy is happy to be held in what could be described as grateful inferiority.
Thoughts for readers:
1. How does individuality, or the lack thereof, play into the rest of Dubliners?
2. How could one expand upon the obvious symbolism (countries represented by men) present in "After the Race"? What about the Race itself? What things could it symbolize?
3. Think about the scene where Jimmy and Routh argue “politics.” What are they talking about? What is going on between Ireland and England around the time the story was written? What is significant about Ségouin’s involvement in the discussion?
4. Does Jimmy's lack of distinct identity make him more isolated or more connected as a character?
5. What is Jimmy's "epiphany" by the end of the story?
I found an interesting article that explained why Joyce entitled the story "After the Race." In 1903 Joyce interviewed one of the French contenders for the James Gordon Bennett cup race. After asking the contender, Henri Fournier, if he planned on spending any time in Ireland, Fournier replied, "After the race? No." I think this statement demonstrates perfectly how unimportant Ireland was to the rest of the Europe at the time. I feel that Joyce was desperate to show the world that his country was worth noticing and even though his stories criticize more than praise, they succeed in making us take notice of Ireland even to this day.
ReplyDeleteMaren
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ReplyDeleteI'm unsure as to exactly what Jimmy's epiphany is at the end of this story. He seems to have been stuck in his role for quite some time - I do not doubt he will stay in it long after this specific occurrence. But maybe his epiphany takes place after "After the Race" - the story ends with his realization that it is morning. This isn't his epiphany, but perhaps it does inspire one - that he must learn to deal with the consequences of his foolish actions. I do hope that it is so.
ReplyDeleteDan C.
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DeletePerhaps the unexpected emergence of morning was intended to remind the Irish masses that the consequences for their inaction against the British menace were already upon them, and by simply waiting for their salvation, they permitted their predicament to further deteriorate. By continuing to emulate France and England with whom they cuold never hope to compete while still in their shadow, the Irish dig themselves a deeper hole.
Delete-Adam S.
I don't think there is a lack of individuality throughout Dubliners. There are specific stories, such as this one, where a lack of individual spirit is prevalent. However, the boy in "Araby" shows a lot of individual spirit by having a crush on Mangan's sister. What you're group points out relates to the city's restricting effect on it's citizens. And because the city's limitations affect its citizens the same way, they all have similar responses to them as they try to live their life.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Perhaps the spirit of the individual is ultimately crushed by the city of Dublin, or rather each character's particular response to the city, in a way that destroys self expression and any attempt at individual happiness.
DeletePerhaps if one's individuality were strong enough, it could break the cycle of dissapoinment and depression prevalent throughout Dubliners and acheive happiness and the ability of self-expression.
DeleteThe example that comes straight to my mind regarding a lack of individuality in Dubliners would be Counterparts. The narrator refers to the protagonist simply as "the man" and gives the majority of the story a tone of lackluster and mundane routine. This lack of individuality "the man" expresses allows him to fit into his group at the pubs, (but he resents the man he loses the arm wrestle to anyway) despite losing his job. As to whether Jimmy's lack of a distinct identity makes him isolated or connected, he is undoubtedly isolated. His boring, passive presence alienates him from his "friends" who get him drunk and take his money.
ReplyDeleteJoyce uses any array of literary devices in his writing style, the most obvious is symbolism. In After the Race it appears as if Joyce uses this device like in other stories to portray Ireland . Irelands resentment for England is apperant while they cheer on France's car; Englands rival. Joyce does an excellent job satarizing polictical and social normalities throughout his writing.
ReplyDelete-Adam R.
We see charcters striving for individuality in Dubliners, but their hopes are never realized. In Araby, the boy wishes to make himself noticed above others by bringing the girl a symbol of his affections, but he gives up. In Eviline, she is faced with a descision that could change her life forver, but she is incapable of taking control of her own future. In little cloud, little Chandler, jealous of his friend's successful career in writing, tries to read some poetry himself, but is unable to accomplish even that much. And of course we see a lack of indicidualitry in After The Race. Repeatedly, characters have an opportunity or try to make something of themselves, but the social constraints and customs of Dublin seems to swallow these characters back into a Irish identity, preventing them from attaining a sense of self.
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