The Irish born author James Joyce was one of the most important representatives of modernism (Kreutzer 2005: 171). His first literary works appeared in a collection called Dubliners. The short stories in this collection deal with the everyday life in Dublin. Joyce's intention was to reveal the situations of people being trapped and thus “betray the soul of that […] paralysis which many consider a city“ (Gilbert 1966: 55). Although one can read the short story “An Encounter” on its own, it fits into the pattern of Dubliners. This is because it portrays a boy who is looking for “doors of escape” (Joyce 1976: 20) to get out of that wearisome world.
A significant element of the artistic form of “An Encounter” is the setting because it could have more functions than only providing a context for the short story to occur in. During reading that short story, a reader may have the impression that the setting is fulfilling the additional function of supporting a certain atmosphere. The reason for that is that it seems to be important for the general mood of several episodes. Furthermore, the setting appears to be very relevant for understanding the character of the protagonist since it is the background for his action. In conclusion, the setting could perform the function of characterisation as well. Because of that, this term paper deals with the questions of whether the setting is used to contribute to a certain mood and whether it is exerted to characterise the main character of the short story.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition of the term setting
3. The general setting in “An Encounter”
4. Analysing the setting in “An Encounter” regarding its function
4.1 Atmospheric Function
4.2 Characterising Function
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the role and function of the setting in James Joyce's short story "An Encounter," exploring how geographical, temporal, and social contexts shape both the narrative atmosphere and the character development of the protagonist.
- Theoretical definition of literary setting (space, time, social milieu).
- Analysis of Dublin as the spatial and cultural backdrop of the story.
- Evaluation of the setting's atmospheric function in key narrative episodes.
- Investigation into how the environment influences the protagonist's traits, desires, and inner conflicts.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Characterising Function
The setting of Joyce's short story affects certain character traits and attitudes of the protagonist in various different ways. Particularly the social circumstances lead to a certain behavior of the boy. In school, which is a part of the setting, he is confronted with restrictions such as the limited canon which prevents him from dealing with the literature he prefers. He subjectively experiences those conditions as limiting and tiring as it is shown in „when the restraining influence of school was at distance“ (Joyce 1976: 20) and „the weariness of school-life“ (Joyce 1976: 21). This subjective response reveals his attitude towards this school, namely objecting to it.
Furthermore, as remarked in the chapter about the general setting, the main character lives in a society in which nobody can leave his or her social milieu. As a result of that, the boy is obligated to accept the restrictions of the school which he dislikes. This is because this school is a result of his social milieu in which he is trapped and there are no alternatives for him. That situation which arises due to the setting causes his personal desire to escape. Thus, it has an influence on his behavior. That desire is the reason for dealing with the literature of Wild West and eventually, it is reinforced by that. The reason for that is that this literature provides an impression of a world full of adventures and the idea of a way out of the reality of ordinary life in Dublin (Erzgräber 1998: 29).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the author James Joyce and the context of the collection "Dubliners," while stating the research question regarding the function of the setting in "An Encounter."
2. Definition of the term setting: Provides a theoretical framework by defining setting through spatial, temporal, and social dimensions and outlining its potential atmospheric and characterising functions.
3. The general setting in “An Encounter”: Examines the specific real-world context of early 20th-century Dublin and the imaginary world of literature as the foundation for the story's setting.
4. Analysing the setting in “An Encounter” regarding its function: Analyzes how the setting specifically contributes to the narrative mood and how it influences the development and traits of the main character.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that the setting functions as both an atmospheric element and a vital tool for characterization within the narrative.
6. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and primary literature utilized for the research.
Keywords
James Joyce, An Encounter, Dubliners, Literary Setting, Modernism, Atmospheric Function, Characterisation, Social Milieu, Paralysis, Irish Literature, Narrative Analysis, Spatial Context, Temporal Frame, Literary Criticism, Protagonist Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the literary concept of "setting" in James Joyce's short story "An Encounter," analyzing how the environment contributes to the story's overall meaning.
What are the primary themes explored in the text?
The text explores the impact of social, temporal, and spatial contexts on a young protagonist, specifically focusing on themes of escape, boredom, and the search for identity in early 20th-century Dublin.
What is the main research question of the work?
The work investigates whether the setting in "An Encounter" serves merely as a backdrop or if it actively contributes to creating a specific mood and shaping the main character's personality.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, defining the theoretical components of "setting" and applying them systematically to the primary text to evaluate its atmospheric and characterising functions.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the definition of setting, an overview of the story's setting in Dublin, and detailed analyses of how the setting creates atmosphere and influences the protagonist's development.
Which keywords best characterize the study?
Key terms include James Joyce, literary setting, atmospheric function, characterisation, social milieu, and modernism.
How does the school environment affect the protagonist?
The school is depicted as a restrictive part of the setting that generates feelings of superiority in the protagonist and fuels his intense desire to escape his social milieu.
What role do the "Wild West" books play in the narrative?
The imaginary world of the Wild West literature serves as a contrasting setting to the constrictive reality of Dublin, providing the boy with a necessary "door of escape" from his daily routine.
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- Clemens Schäfer (Autor:in), 2014, Setting in James Joyce's "An Encounter", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/287978
