Dubliners is a collection of fifteen short stories by James Joyce that presents a realistic and often somber depiction of life in Dublin, Ireland, during the early 20th century. Through a range of characters and everyday situations, Joyce explores themes such as paralysis, identity, and the desire for escape. The stories follow a loose structure of progression, starting with childhood (“The Sisters,” “An Encounter”) and moving through adolescence, adulthood, and public life, before concluding with the renowned final story, “The Dead.”
Each story in Dubliners offers a glimpse into the internal struggles of its characters as they confront disappointments, social expectations, and emotional stagnation. Joyce uses a straightforward narrative style and subtle symbolism to highlight the quiet frustrations and missed opportunities that define many lives. The collection is celebrated for its psychological depth and its unflinching portrayal of the complexities of human experience, making it a cornerstone of modernist literature.
