reflect

Reading Reflection on Dubliners James Joyce’s Dubliners is a profound collection of short stories that reveals the ordinary yet tragic lives of people living in early twentieth-century Dublin. Through simple and plain writing, Joyce depicts various people from different social classes, showing their confusion, regret and powerlessness in daily life. The most impressive theme of the book is “spiritual paralysis”. Trapped by boring routines, social restrictions and inner timidity, most characters long for change but finally choose to compromise with their lifeless life. They are stuck in trivial sorrows and never dare to pursue a better future. Though the stories are plain and even depressing, they are extremely real. This book does not offer passionate encouragement, but makes me realize the importance of breaking inner shackles bravely. It reminds people of avoiding living a repetitive and numb life and cherishing the courage to embrace new.