How Did James Joyce Use Of Foreshadowing In Counterparts

James Joyce’s “Counterparts”: An Analysis of Foreshadowing

In James Joyce’s “Counterparts,” Farrington, a troubled man stuck in a monotonous job as a text copier, attempts to mitigate his overwhelming stress, only to find himself further demeaned and frustrated. The prison of routine is presented as a major theme, and the plot consists of three main settings that create the comparable catalysts for Farrington’s building anger and torment. Throughout each part of the plot, Joyce’s narration clearly implicates future events, particularly within the office scene. Although the motifs and recurring elements in the office setting reinforce the theme, they are also used to foreshadow impending events and conflicts that unfold to tell Farrington’s grim tale.

As the rising action develops, Joyce constantly eludes to Farrington’s instincts to reach for a drink when work begins to frustrate him. As Mr. Alleyne begins to pressure him to finish his work, Farrington is described to have a “sharp sensation of thirst” (1) and the need to “slake the thirst in his throat” (2) as he is beginning to copy the documents. Not only do these expressions demonstrate that this type of behavior is habitual for Farrington, but it also indicates his eventual night out drinking at bars. Furthermore, Joyce goes as far as blatantly telling readers that Farrington believes he “must have a good night’s drinking” (1). This further solidifies the foreshadowing of Farrington’s bar hopping escapade to drown out his sorrows. Due to this persisting instinct, it is clear that he fails to properly handle his stressful and repetitive job, will most likely resort to a night of drinking as he has in the past, which all in turn has created a basis for his uncontrollable