Alcohol and the Erosion of Control

Dubliners

This flow traces drinking from convivial social ritual to dependence, humiliation, and harm across several lives.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Drinking Circle The Drinking Circle from "Dubliners". Drinking as Fellowship Toasts across borders Jimmy Doyle and his companions drink to Ireland, England, France, Hungary, and the United States.

The Drinking Circle from "Dubliners". Drinking as Fellowship Toasts across borders Jimmy Doyle and his companions drink to Ireland, England, France, Hungary, and the United States.

Drinking as Fellowship Toasts across borders Jimmy Doyle and his companions drink to Ireland, England, France, Hungary, and the United States. Alcohol helps turn an expensive social evening into a shared performance. Risk made convivial The atmosphere makes cards and money feel like part of the fun. The group’s ease helps obscure the consequences that follow.

A Night of Punch A Night of Punch from "Dubliners". Drinking as Relief Thirst after reprimand Farrington leaves his desk for porter and later seeks whisky with companions.

A Night of Punch from "Dubliners". Drinking as Relief Thirst after reprimand Farrington leaves his desk for porter and later seeks whisky with companions.

Drinking as Relief Thirst after reprimand Farrington leaves his desk for porter and later seeks whisky with companions. Each drink promises relief from anger and the demands of work. A narrowing evening He pawns his watch and spends what he gains. The attempt to escape humiliation through drinking prepares further losses.

Kernan's Collapse Kernan's Collapse from "Dubliners". The Body Gives Way A fall in public Tom Kernan tumbles down the stairs in a bar and is carried back bleeding. He tries to dismiss the accident as nothing.

Kernan's Collapse from "Dubliners". The Body Gives Way A fall in public Tom Kernan tumbles down the stairs in a bar and is carried back bleeding. He tries to dismiss the accident as nothing.

The Body Gives Way A fall in public Tom Kernan tumbles down the stairs in a bar and is carried back bleeding. He tries to dismiss the accident as nothing. Dependence acknowledged by others His wife says he has been drinking since Friday, and friends plan an intervention. His own minimization contrasts with the damage others can see.

The Habit in a Household The Habit in a Household from "Dubliners". Domestic Damage Mr Mooney's decline Mr Mooney drinks, steals from the till, and ruins the butcher business.

The Habit in a Household from "Dubliners". Domestic Damage Mr Mooney's decline Mr Mooney drinks, steals from the till, and ruins the butcher business.

Domestic Damage Mr Mooney's decline Mr Mooney drinks, steals from the till, and ruins the butcher business. Conflict escalates until Mrs Mooney must leave the shared home. A changed life The separation and boarding house show alcohol's effects spreading into family finances and living arrangements. Mrs Mooney's later authority grows out of this earlier injury.

Farrington's Violence Farrington's Violence from "Dubliners". Harm Passed On Rage carried home After losing to Weathers and spending his money, Farrington returns resentful and still thirsty.

Farrington's Violence from "Dubliners". Harm Passed On Rage carried home After losing to Weathers and spending his money, Farrington returns resentful and still thirsty.

Harm Passed On Rage carried home After losing to Weathers and spending his money, Farrington returns resentful and still thirsty. The night's drinking has not relieved his anger. A child bears the cost He beats Tom for letting the fire go out. Alcohol is part of a wider pattern of lost control, but the violence remains Farrington's responsibility.

During the dinner after the motor race

Late afternoon and evening of Farrington's workday

One night after days of drinking

During the history of Mrs Mooney's marriage

Late night, after the public-house contest