Little Chandler's Literary Ambition

Dubliners

This flow traces Little Chandler's brief hope of escaping his constrained life through poetry and the return of domestic reality.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Poet in the Desk The Poet in the Desk from "Dubliners". Private Verse Shelved ambition Little Chandler owns poetry books but has rarely dared to read them aloud to Annie.

The Poet in the Desk from "Dubliners". Private Verse Shelved ambition Little Chandler owns poetry books but has rarely dared to read them aloud to Annie.

Private Verse Shelved ambition Little Chandler owns poetry books but has rarely dared to read them aloud to Annie. He keeps poetic lines in his mind as consolation. A quiet limitation His sensitivity does not become public work. The wish to write remains a private alternative to an ordinary clerical life.

Gallaher's Invitation Gallaher's Invitation from "Dubliners". A Meeting Imagined The successful friend Little Chandler anticipates meeting Ignatius Gallaher, now a journalist in London.

Gallaher's Invitation from "Dubliners". A Meeting Imagined The successful friend Little Chandler anticipates meeting Ignatius Gallaher, now a journalist in London.

A Meeting Imagined The successful friend Little Chandler anticipates meeting Ignatius Gallaher, now a journalist in London. His friend's success appears to prove that leaving Dublin is necessary. Borrowed confidence The prospect of reunion lifts Chandler's mood. For a moment, he feels superior to the city and its people.

A Poem for London A Poem for London from "Dubliners". The Poet's Self-Image A sudden possibility The sunset over the river inspires Little Chandler to imagine writing a poem and having it published in London.

A Poem for London from "Dubliners". The Poet's Self-Image A sudden possibility The sunset over the river inspires Little Chandler to imagine writing a poem and having it published in London.

The Poet's Self-Image A sudden possibility The sunset over the river inspires Little Chandler to imagine writing a poem and having it published in London. He invents praise that critics might give his work. Ambition without practice He has not yet written the poem. The imagined literary future reveals both genuine longing and dependence on external recognition.

The Conversation of Comparison

London as Temptation Gallaher's stories Ignatius Gallaher describes life in Paris and other cities with confident vulgarity. Little Chandler listens, admiring the worldliness he had imagined. Admiration turns sour Chandler becomes disillusioned by Gallaher's manner but remains envious of his experience. The friend’s success magnifies Chandler’s sense of missed opportunity.

The Crying Child The Crying Child from "Dubliners". The Domestic Limit A failed attempt to read Holding his baby, Little Chandler opens Byron and tries to recover his poetic mood.

The Crying Child from "Dubliners". The Domestic Limit A failed attempt to read Holding his baby, Little Chandler opens Byron and tries to recover his poetic mood.

The Domestic Limit A failed attempt to read Holding his baby, Little Chandler opens Byron and tries to recover his poetic mood. The child begins to cry, and his frustration overwhelms him. Shame and dependence He shouts at the baby, then fears he has harmed it. Annie returns, takes the child, and glares at him; his literary escape collapses into remorse.

Before the meeting at Corless's

Late autumn afternoon, after work

On the walk toward Corless's

That evening at Corless's

That evening, after Annie leaves the house