James Joyce

from Dubliners: Clay:
This was an interesting story about a nanny who took care of two brothers when they were younger. She seemed so wrapped up in their lives that they were literally what she lived for. Once they were grown she did not want to let them go and was not quite sure what to live for anymore. She said she did not want a man, however when she was on the tram she got very flustered by the man she met. She was so dishoveled that she actually forgot to bring the plumcake to Joe that she had searched around town for finding the perfect piece. Even though she claims to not want a husband her actions show us different. For her to forget the plumcake for Joe means that there was something pretty important happening because he was her life. She also struggled throughout the story because Joe and Alphy did not get along anymore. It would be like her own to children not getting along because she practically raised them. The boys had gotten her a job doing laundry to help pass her time and pay her bills. I thought it was neat that she worked at the laundry place for prostitutes they were trying to get off the street. She probably did not even have to work, however she was to stubborn to move in with Joe. She mentioned that Joe had offered for her to move in with him, but she felt she would be in the way. This is just like a typical grandparent in today's society. Once they become retired they find odd jobs to keep busy, and even though the need to be living with someone, and probably want to live with someone they feel like they are being a burden on them. I am not old enough to understand, but being 22 years old I would not find my grandmother or grandfather moving in a burden. Of course you lifestyle would change some, however this is your own flesh and blood. She seemed so happy when she was at the house with Joe and his family though. They drank, and she sang a song for the children. Also, I believe that her mind may be slipping her. When she sang the song to the children they did not point out that she sang the first verse twice instead of singing the first and second verses. Maybe this is a sign to Joe and the family that she is starting to slip and she needs to move in with them.
The thing that bugged me about the poem was that it just ends. We do not know what ends up happening to her, or if the brothers ever end up re-uniting. I was just starting to get into the story and boom it ends! I suppose according to the biography that Joyce does this a lot!