Gender roles limit individual potential from "summary" of DUBLINERS by James Joyce
The stories in Dubliners vividly portray the ways in which societal expectations based on gender can stifle individual growth and potential. Throughout the collection, characters are constrained by traditional roles and norms that dictate their behavior and limit their choices. For example, in "Eveline," the protagonist is torn between her desire for independence and her sense of duty to her family. She is expected to stay at home and care for her abusive father, despite her yearning for a better life elsewhere. Similarly, in "A Little Cloud," Little Chandler is trapped in a role as a husband and father, unable to pursue his artistic ambitions. He is envious of his friend Gallaher, who has achieved success and freedom by traveling the world. Little Chandler's domestic responsibilities and societal expectations prevent him from fully realizing his potential as a writer. In "The Boarding House," Mrs. Mooney manipulates her daughter Polly into a marriage that will secure their financial stability. Polly is forced to sacrifice her happiness and autonomy to conform to her mother's plans. The male characters in the story also face limitations based on their gender roles, such as Mr. Doran, who is pressured into a relationship he does not truly desire. The theme of gender roles limiting individual potential is further explored in "Clay," where Maria is defined by her role as a caretaker and housekeeper. She is marginalized and overlooked by those around her, resigned to a life of servitude. Maria's lack of agency and autonomy reflects the larger societal structures that confine women to domestic spheres and deny them the opportunity to pursue their own dreams and aspirations.- James Joyce's Dubliners highlights the ways in which gender roles can restrict personal growth and fulfillment. The characters in the stories are confined by societal expectations that dictate their actions and limit their potential. Whether through familial obligations, societal pressures, or cultural norms, individuals are often unable to break free from the constraints imposed upon them, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential and lost opportunities.
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