Joyce began writing these stories in 1904 and completed them by 1907, but they faced delays in publication due to the societal norms of the time. The collection reflects a range of themes, including Irish identity, love, death, and the mundane realities of life. Each story offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Dublin's inhabitants, often focusing on the poorer classes and their challenges.
The narrative style in Dubliners is characterized by realism and modernist techniques, with Joyce employing symbolism and a stream-of-consciousness approach to convey the inner thoughts and emotions of his characters. The collection begins and ends with a death, framing the stories within a broader commentary on mortality and the human condition.
Dubliners is considered one of the greatest story collections in the English language, praised for its unflinching and often tragic portrayal of early 20th-century Dublin. It remains a significant work in literary history, influencing countless writers and continuing to resonate with readers today.
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Dubliners by James Joyce