Journal

Number] Journal 5 Clay by James Joyce James Joyce in his narrative “ Clay” selected mere characters to represent significant issues like identity, belief, empathy, traditional values and acceptance phenomena. In the tale the relationships are intricately connected in a social setting, but have a sustainable position in their real sense. The protagonist ‘ Maria’ is focusing her energy on small, but day to day tasks for a traditional event ‘ Halloween’. Her description of physical appearance is also petty and unattractive. The author emphasized on the affection of Maria for Joe, who was nursed by her at an early age. The kind of affection author described is unusual now a days, when biological parents give up their children for adoption and single mothers abort their unborn ones for the sake of their convince. Her affection is even with the gifts Joe gifted her; is surprising. Next thing which is totally explicit these days is the kind of hospitality the story entails like Joe and Joe’s wife towards Maria. However, in the tram ‘ Maria’ is also displayed in a situation where young generation is giving up traditional etiquettes for elderly, like giving up one’s seat for them due to their age and respectable position in society.
Many of the critics believe that since ‘ Clay’ is an Irish story therefore, the author interweaved and depicted Ireland’s geographical and political situation through Maria’s tale. The Christian beliefs and their respect is also a significant factor in the tale, which enables the reader to comprehend how people of fate feel and act when they have a religious and spiritual event to attend to. Most shockingly though ‘ Maria’ was fat, short woman with a big nose, but readers find her satisfied with her ordinary looks and poor financial condition. She is a contended person who has no complexes about her social and physical position. The story narrates how one should be contended in his own body without regretting about his looks, social and financial position (Attridge, 156).
Work Cited
Top of Form
Attridge, Derek. The Cambridge Companion to James Joyce. Cambridge [u. a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2009. Print.
Bottom of Form