「자매들」에 나타난 소년의 에피퍼니

Abstract

This paper aims to look into the epiphanies of the boy in “The Sisters” from Dubliners. After discussing the Joycean concept of epiphanies focusing on manifestation, which is related to revelation or clarification. The concept of revelation allows us to relate it to that of irony. While some scholars argue for the reliance of epiphanies on the ironic narrative strategy in the episodes, epiphanies do not seem to be reduced to irony. It seems that epiphanies appear at “the most delicate and evanescent of moment” while irony needs not guarantee this suddenness and delicacy. Regarding “The Sisters”, however, if the protagonist is too young to catch this delicate manifestation, the epiphany can be involved in irony. The study argues that considering the paralytic aspect of the boy’s viewpoint, his behaviors, in the most delicate and evanescent of moments, should be paid attention to. By exploring the way the protagonist changes his attitudes during the condolence visit in the story, this study examines how the people around him can have an influence on his return to the trapped routine life after the subtle moments of the seemingly unconsciously-perceived epiphanies.