A Painful Case

A Painful Case

James Joyce

Literal Comprehension:

James Duffy was ideal man. He lived in Dublin. He worked in a bank and ate in the eating house. He liked to read books. He was far from love and women. He looked at the women from his moral eyes. Sometimes he went to the concert. One evening he met a middle aged woman names Mrs Sinico. In a concert, she was with her young daughter named Marry Sinico. She introduced with Mr. Duffy. From the way of her talking and dressing, it seemed that she was still blooming in youth. Mr. Duffy met her second time with her husband in another concert. But he had no chance to talk with her. When he met her third time, he took her appointment. She came to the park and they spent some evening together in the park. Mr. Duffy was a highly moral man and he didn't like to meet her in such way. So he went to her house. Mr. Sinico also encouraged his visit thinking that Mr. Duffy wanted to ask for his daughter's  hand. But he never thought that his wife had bad intention towards Mr.Duffy.

Since Mr. Sinico was the captain of a businessship and marry Sinico went out to give music lesson. Mrs. Sinico and Mr. Duffy talked for a long time in the evening. Mrs. Sinico wanted to enjoy with Mr.Duffy physically. So, one evening she caught his hand and looked it to her cheek excitedly. Mr. Duffy didn't like it and he stopped meeting her. She became mentally abnormal. She also adopted a habit of drinking alcohol in the evening. When she was trying to cross the railroad in drunk condition. She was uncontrolled and the train dashed her and she died on the spot. When Mr. Duffy knew about her death, he became very sad. He knew that she was the only woman who loved him but lost her life because of him. He took the response of her death. He also regretted for what he had done.

Interpretation:

The writer may be trying to show that lonely life is duel boring and empty. He also shows that an unfulfilled lusty desire causes tragedy. When Mrs.Sinoco also tries to fulfill it from Mr.Duffy, but he refused her lust desires. Then she became mentally disturbed. She begins to drink alcohol and neglects herself and dies. The story also hates strict moral principle that sometimes causes painful events.

Critical thinking:

This story is psychological and tragic. However, some ideas of the writer are skeptical. Can't there be relationship between a man and woman? If Mr. Duffy hates any types of attatchments with woman, why does he meet Mrs Sinico? Why doesn't Mrs Sinico go to stay with her husband? If Mr.Duffy is strictly moral, why does he hate morality at last? So I am not convinced.

Assimilation:

This story impressed me very much. After reading this story, I understood that Mr.Duffy is the cause of the death of Mrs Sinico. I also understood that life is meaningful without love, feelings, emotions, desires. If ones desire are not fulfilled, the result will be tragic.