Unlocking 'An Encounter' in Dubliners"

Published on August 9, 2023 by Joud

It is a short story by James Joyce, part of his collection "Dubliners."

the story follows two young boys who decide to skip school and embark on an adventurous day.


Story

The story starts with two young boys, the narrator and his friend Mahoney, deciding to skip school and have an adventure.

Their journey takes them through various parts of the city, and they encounter different people and situations along the way.


The Pockmarked Man

The boys' adventure begins with their excitement for a pockmarked man they have heard stories about.

They hope to have an encounter with him, believing that he might share stories of wild adventures.

However, when they finally meet the man, his behavior is strange and unsettling, causing the boys to feel uncomfortable.


The Cat

While the two boys are having a conversation in the field, Mahoney, becomes distracted by a cat.

He suddenly jumps up, seemingly trying to catch the cat.

This action seems somewhat out of character for Mahoney and contributes to the overall eerie and uncomfortable tone of the story.


Themes

The story touches on themes of innocence, curiosity, and the boundary between childhood and adulthood.



References

Haslam SA & Asbee SU (eds) 2010, 'The Twentieth Century'. .

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