Dubliners Comparison

'Dubliners' was published in 1914 and creates a microcosm of the state of decay and paralysis that Dublin was in, through James Joyce's 'nicely polished looking glass'. It clearly presents how the stagnant life paralysed the hopes and dreams of Dublin's inhabitants. Through realistic characters, such as Eveline, Joyce exemplifies how the city itself was the 'centre of paralysis' and thus the cause of the loss of hopes and dreams that affects so many characters in the collection.

Joyce creates Eveline as a dull and monotonous character. The story begins as she sits idle at her window, contemplating a better life. The window symbolises how Eveline, and many other characters, reflect on their own lives without the strength of purpose to bring about change. She displays an overall lack of ambition, as she watches others pass by, going somewhere with a purpose; Joyce creates a comparison with the inclusion of 'a man from Belfast', as Belfast was in a state of great change and industrialism, when in comparison Dublin was dark and repressive, thus affecting the characters ambitions and overall purpose.

On the other hand, Lady Macbeth is presented as a determined and ambitious character, with the strength of will to do anything to achieve her goals: 'And shalt be what thou art promis'd', this exclamation clearly displays her boldness. This strong and active nature is the antithesis of a normal Jacobean female and highlights Eveline's passiveness when deciding her future.

Furthermore, Eveline's overall inactiveness is emphasised when she reviews her life in Ireland. Instead of journeying forward into a new exciting life, Eveline is trapped brooding on her past; 'Father was not so bad then' she decides. This statement, lacking in any en...

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...come to no meaningful end, with the majority of people repeating their same mundane days repetitively. Dublin was stunted, unable to move forward under Home Rule and without an established and contented union with Britain. In contrast, Shakespeare adheres to the traditional concepts of writing, as 'Macbeth' includes all the typical points to any narrative.

Conclusively, both Joyce and Shakespeare successfully present their characters for their intended purposes. Eveline is trapped in a repressive Dublin; unable to move forward or change her life independently. Lady Macbeth on the other hand was strong and independent, a complete opposite of Eveline. Although, the fact that both these women focused on the past heavily eventually leads to their inability to move forward; Lady Macbeth committing suicide and Eveline being left in Dublin, stuck within a repetitive cycle.