Mr. Mooney -"The Boarding House"
James Joyce writes, “But as soon as his father-in-law was dead Mr Mooney began to go to the devil. He drank, plundered the till, ran headlong into debt. It was no use making him take the pledge: he was sure to break out again a few days after. By fighting his wife in the presence of customers and by buying bad meat he ruined his business." Mr. Mooney is an irresponsible man whose real personality manifests after his father-in-law's demise. The devil is representative of the bad things which he engages in. His recklessness is detrimental to the survival of the butchery business. Moreover, his actions elicit a terrible reputation for their business. It is as if he had waited for the father-in-law's demise to be his true self. Mrs. Mooney suffers immensely because her matrimony and business are imperiled by her husband's awful actions.
Eveline's Insecurity-"Eveline"
James Joyce explains, “But in her new home, in a distant unknown country, it would not be like that. Then she would be married—she, Eveline. People would treat her with respect then. She would not be treated as her mother had been. Even now, though she was over nineteen, she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s violence. She knew it was that that had given her the palpitations…but latterly he had begun to threaten her and say what he would do to her only for her dead mother’s sake. And now she had nobody to protect her.” Manifestly, Eveline does not feel secure with her father. Her palpitations are indicators of her dread for him. The insecurity makes her to yearn for a different home where she will delight in respect. Her father is abusive nature has no limits; thus, Eveline senses that he cannot protect her. Eveline’s unconscious desire is protection from a father figure whom she anticipates to find in the man who shall marry her.
