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The Boarding House Edit
Themes

Similarly to James Joyce's other short stories in Dubliners, the theme of paralysis is present in "The Boarding House." In this story, the reader is blinded from the main events that unfold leading to the climax. Mr. Doran's memories are the only events that are explicitly stated. Mrs. Mooney, who may or may not know more than the readers, is determined to use this opportunity to give Mr. Doran an ultimatum. The choice he makes most likely leads to him being stuck in the boarding house in Dublin with the other characters. "His specific inability to save himself is directly related to the paralysis theme which pervades the entire collection of stories." Additionally, the title and setting of the story convey the sensation of paralysis. The entire prose takes place under one roof. Mrs. Mooney uses her daughter, Polly, to lure men into the house and entertain them. In Mr. Doran's case, he will never leave. In this story Mrs. Mooney parallels Circe in The Odyssey, who never allows men to leave her beach. This ties into the theme of femininity, which is also prevalent in this story. Although Polly is the character who is desirable to because of her youth and femininity, "Mrs. Mooney is a powerful figure because she draws upon the elements traditionally labeled 'masculine' and 'feminine.'"