ARCHIVE - DUBLINERS - BUDDY READ - DISCUSSION THREAD

[Brett]

I always get the photo and author's name mixed up. Sorry, I'll fix it.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks Brett - Kressel is interested in a book about the famine as well.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Stories' Overviews and Summaries
Week Eight - This week has probably one of the most famous stories of all by Joyce

(view spoiler)[The Dead

Kate and Julia Morkan and their young niece, Mary Jane Morkan hold their annual dance and dinner party, which draws together a variety of relatives and friends.

(hide spoiler)]

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Week Eight Discussion Questions - The Dead - Irish tradition

(view spoiler)[1. In this story Joyce gives us a glimpse into a different social class in Ireland, the old better-off families, who gather together on dinner and dance parties. We've had a glimpse of the other classes in previous stories. Can you point out the differences/similarities in the social gatherings of the different classes?

2. "I feel more strongly with every recurring year that our country has no tradition which does it so much honour and which it should guard so jealously as that of its hospitality."



If you are Irish or you've been on the receiving end of the Irish hospitality, can you say that you agree with the above written sentence? (hide spoiler)]

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Week Eight Discussion Questions - The Dead - Old vs. New

(view spoiler)[3. Why do you think the story is called "The Dead"? What/who does the title represent?

4. A new generation is growing up in our midst, a generation actuated by new ideas and new principles. It is serious and enthusiastic for these new ideas and its enthusiasm, even when it is misdirected, is, I believe, in the main sincere. But we are living in a skeptical, and, if I may use the phrase, thought-tormented age: and sometimes I fear that this new generation, educated or hyper-educated as it is, will lack those qualities of humanity, of hospitality, of kindly humour which belonged to an older day."

How do you feel about this paragraph? Do you agree with the above? Do you think that the next generations are less and less humane? Can this quote be used to describe the newest generation of young people? Do you ever find yourself remembering old days wishing things were as they used to be?

(hide spoiler)]

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Week Eight Discussion Questions - Book as a whole

(view spoiler)[1. Now that you've read all the stories, what is your opinion on the book as a whole? Which stories did you like best, or didn't like at all? Were you able to connect with the characters in the stories? Did the stories make you stop and think?

2. Joyce's writing style changes from story to story. How did you feel about it? Did it help you get into the story or just the opposite? Which POV appealed to you the most?

3. In many of the stories the characters fall prey to the lure of alcohol. Why is it that people were (are) so drawn to it? Was (is) it some kind of a sign of maturity, and escape from an unhappy existence, a rebellion, or simply an (in more ways than one) expensive addiction?

4. Almost all Joyce's characters are people stuck in a loop, living their lives as best they can, wanting to get out, but never quite becoming determined enough to make a change. How did this make you feel? Do you think that we can break out of the loop and change our lives? Is the change always for the better?

(hide spoiler)]

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Folks, I have completed moderating The Dubliners and it has been a pleasure doing this great book again. The last questions are up for next week - the last week.

However, as you get caught up - please post your responses to the questions as you have been doing and I will always post. It is always best to keep with the syllabus and not get ahead and not get behind in a buddy read but life happens so when you get caught up just post on this thread and I will respond.

Make sure to post your nominations for the next Ireland challenge read.

All best fellow readers,
Bentley
Group Founder

[Michael]

Kressel wrote: " by Tim Pat Coogan (no photo)

I nominate the above. The history of the famine is one of the cleares..."

Kressel's choice would be my first choice for an Irish buddy read I think. As Bentley mentioned I would also like to read:
by James Joyce
The buddy reads are good incentive to read books one is putting off or may not otherwise read.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Very true Michael.

[Carlton]

Apologies for lack of feedback, but stalled at The Boarding House and have been on holiday in Spain, so reading books about Spain/Alhambra.
Will now revert to Dubliners and provide my feedback in the coming week(s).
Having read the positive reviews of by Tim Pat Coogan (no photo), I would agree with Kressel's choice for an Irish buddy read.
However, as Bentley suggests, I would also be interested in a (re)read of by James Joyce.

[Helga]

I have looked at both of the suggestions for the buddy read and agree that they are good choices.
Kressels's choice would be an excellent read. And I also agree with Bentley to read Ulysses as a buddy read together. That book should be taken on as a group to get the complete understanding and am interested in doing so
.
by Tim Pat Coogan (no photo)
and by James Joyce

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

That is good there is interest in both books - let us see what everyone says and for folks still reading Dubliners we are still here waiting for you when you get caught up.

[Kressel]

The only way I'll probably ever read Ulysses is in a group read, so perhaps we should do it.

[Helga]

Kressel wrote: "The only way I'll probably ever read Ulysses is in a group read, so perhaps we should do it."
The same with me.

[Patrick]

I shall hope to avoid any spoilers on Dubliners. Merely to say that the closing paragraph of the final story, The Dead, is for my money, among the finest writing I have ever come across in the English language. It is simple, direct and, in context, very poignant.
For me also, it has a special resonance, bringing together as it does imagery of Ireland and of snow falling, of loss and of country churchyards. Of bringing my late mother home for her final rest in her native Belfast, from where I live in London. A journey to a country churchyard; one made yet more difficult by snow and ice.
That may be a very personal association for me alone, but I hope others will share with me the beauty of the language Joyce uses in this particular short story.

[Kressel]

Patrick wrote: "That may be a very personal association for me alone, but I hope others will share with me the beauty of the language Joyce uses in this particular short story."

I completely agree. It's the best depiction of the realities of marriage that I've ever read.

BTW, I'm Jewish, and I had a similar reaction when we read The House of Twenty Thousand Books. It meant so much to me, but I wondered if non-Jews would feel the same.

by Sasha Abramsky

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Patrick I really appreciate your post and it was beautifully crafted. I did not feel that you had any grave spoilers.

However in the future - on buddy reads or BOTM selection discussions which are single thread - please use spoiler html. Always just look at the beginning of the thread and we give you the html so that you can place your text in spoiler. I included the text below in spoiler html. Usually the hints on how to do this are at the beginning of the thread or if you click on (some html is ok) - it also shows you some formatting tips.

(view spoiler)[Joyce to me is unrivaled in that regard. His themes seem to focus on individuals who finally have some innate realization that hope is lost or they are paralyzed by some fact of their life (country, church, religion, poverty, bad luck or poor choices). But he is a master of the English language and the words he uses stylistically sets him apart. The language is beautiful and I can understand how the paragraph spoke to you and your circumstances. (hide spoiler)]

[Patrick]

Thanks Bentley - much appreciated. And thanks also to Kressel.
Good to know these things on etiquette....just learning my way!
Best,
Patrick

[Brianne]

May I join in this buddy read?

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Of course you can Brianne - check the thread at the beginning and just follow the weekly syllabus at your own pace of course and post your responses to the weekly questions that are posted about each story and I will respond to you. Make sure though to use the spoiler html for your comments - directions on how to do that if you do not know already are at the beginning of the thread.

[Kressel]

Oh my gosh! The Irish Repertory Theater is doing a production of "The Dead," and they've staged it such that the members of the audience are guests at the party. You can talk to the actors and even have dinner served to you (for an extra $150)! And if that's not enough, Melissa Gilbert, star of the Little House series, is playing the wife!

https://irishrep.org/show/2017-2018-s...

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Kressel wrote: "Oh my gosh! The Irish Repertory Theater is doing a production of "The Dead," and they've staged it such that the members of the audience are guests at the party. You can talk to the actors and even..."

Kressel - for some reason - goodreads does not always let you know that there is a post on a thread - I am sorry I missed that - did you happen to go? That would have been so interesting.

[Kressel]

Bentley wrote: "did you happen to go? That would have been so interesting.

No way! It was $150 a ticket, and $300 if you were part of the "party" and eating dinner.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I see! So dinner was slightly extra (lol)

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

This is the discussion thread for the completed book discussion of The Dubliners. This is archived for now on the Challenge thread.