How would you describe the boy in “The Sisters”? What is his intelligence like? How would you characterize him in religious terms?
In “Araby” the unnamed narrator presents a picture of his childhood that is positive in some ways, negative in others. How does he describe his childhood? How would you characterize the world in which he lives?
One of the key terms raised in Joyce’s stories is the idea of paralysis. How does this word function in relation to “Eveline” the story and Eveline the character?
“Simony” is the sin of selling religious ideas and articles for money: for example, forgiving a person’s sins in exchange for money. In what way does this idea of simony function in “The Boarding House”?
In “A Little Cloud” we are presented with two distinct men: Little Chandler and Gallaher; these men are quite different in just about every way. Do we see Gallaher as someone to admire? If so, why? If not, why not? How does Chandler’s view of Gallaher change over the course of the story?
In “Counterparts” the reader is shown a main character who is difficult to see sympathetically: he is a brute and a drunk, and he seems to be in conflict with everyone around him. How would you characterize him in light of his shortcomings? Is there any way to feel sympathy for him?