Class and Social Performance

Dubliners

This flow traces how wealth, employment, respectability, and social rank shape characters' opportunities and their treatment of others.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Dublin Merchant's Son The Dublin Merchant's Son from "Dubliners". Wealth as Access Education and opportunity Jimmy Doyle's father uses accumulated business wealth to educate his son in England and Dublin.

The Dublin Merchant's Son from "Dubliners". Wealth as Access Education and opportunity Jimmy Doyle's father uses accumulated business wealth to educate his son in England and Dublin.

Wealth as Access Education and opportunity Jimmy Doyle's father uses accumulated business wealth to educate his son in England and Dublin. Jimmy moves among circles that would otherwise be inaccessible. Status without judgment His money brings invitations and investment opportunities, but it does not ensure sound decisions. Social access can disguise vulnerability.

The Servant and the Gallant The Servant and the Gallant from "Dubliners". Unequal Exchange Gifts extracted Corley describes receiving cigarettes, fares, and cigars from a servant while concealing his identity.

The Servant and the Gallant from "Dubliners". Unequal Exchange Gifts extracted Corley describes receiving cigarettes, fares, and cigars from a servant while concealing his identity.

Unequal Exchange Gifts extracted Corley describes receiving cigarettes, fares, and cigars from a servant while concealing his identity. He treats her generosity as a resource to exploit. Class as leverage Her position as a servant and his performance of social standing shape the encounter. The gold coin later makes the imbalance tangible.

Doran's Respectability Doran's Respectability from "Dubliners". Reputation at Stake Employment and fear Bob Doran worries that his employer may hear of the affair and dismiss him.

Doran's Respectability from "Dubliners". Reputation at Stake Employment and fear Bob Doran worries that his employer may hear of the affair and dismiss him.

Reputation at Stake Employment and fear Bob Doran worries that his employer may hear of the affair and dismiss him. Years of office service make public scandal especially costly. Marriage as social settlement He weighs marriage against freedom, not simply against love. Respectability and class expectations press on his choice.

The Office and the Public House

Rank Enforced Workplace subordination Mr Alleyne controls Farrington's work and humiliates him in front of colleagues. Farrington's physical size does not translate into authority. Informal status elsewhere At the bar, Farrington seeks recognition through drinking, stories, and strength. When Weathers defeats him, the status he performs collapses.

The Campaign Workers The Campaign Workers from "Dubliners". Patronage and Need Uncertain payment The canvassers wait for Richard J. Tierney's money while discussing political loyalties.

The Campaign Workers from "Dubliners". Patronage and Need Uncertain payment The canvassers wait for Richard J. Tierney's money while discussing political loyalties.

Patronage and Need Uncertain payment The canvassers wait for Richard J. Tierney's money while discussing political loyalties. Their work depends on a candidate they do not wholly trust. Idealism compromised The election room reveals how economic dependence shapes civic language. The workers can praise principles while bargaining over payment and influence.

Before Jimmy's motor-race day

Sunday evening during Corley's meeting

Sunday morning before Mrs Mooney's summons

Farrington's February workday and evening

Ivy Day evening in the committee room