... found nowhere else in the other modern nations of Europe. These sentiments did not, however, distract him from the central theme running through all fifteen stories in the collection: the theme of paralysis. This theme of paralysis was what Joyce saw as "failed religion, spiritual paralysis, letter without spirit, ritual ... The strand of humiliation felt by Joyce's main protagonist Gabriel Conroy runs from beginning to end, starting with his encounter with Lily, the caretaker's daughter, on his arrival at the Misses Morkans" house for the dinner they hold on the Feast of the Epiphany (i...

• Word Count: 2387
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate