Diving into 'Clay' from Dubliners

The story "Clay" in James Joyce's Dubliners follows the character Maria.

She is a middle aged Irish woman who works as a maid and laundress for a family.

Story

The story is set during Halloween, and Maria is attending a party hosted by her employer and his family.

Throughout the party, Maria seems disconnected from the festivities, and her thoughts often drift to memories of her past.

As the party winds down and Maria prepares to leave, she is given a gift containing a piece of clay and not sweets.

The Clay

The clay itself is open can be seen as a metaphor for Maria's own life and experiences.

Clay can be molded into different forms, which could symbolize the societal expectations and constraints that have shaped Maria's life.

The choice of the gift reflects her status as a domestic servant and her role as a maid and laundress.

Themes

Maria's sense of loneliness and isolation is a central theme in the story.

References

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