... establishment above reproach, even as it makes that goal unattainable. Society also expects Polly Mooney to marry and raise a family of her own. But, as Joyce notes, the boarding house is "beginning to get a certain fame," and therefore inducing a respectable man to propose to Polly would be ... a woman who has not already been taken by another man. In all likelihood, Mr. Doran was wrong to take advantage of a young naive woman at the precious age of nineteen. Mrs. Mooney was aware Mr. Doran had been employed for thirteen years in a great Catholic wine-merchant's office and ... loud-voi...

• Word Count: 2723
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School