In James Joyce's "Dubliners," the role of a mother is a complex and multifaceted one. Through the portrayal characters and their relationships with their mothers, Joyce delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the expectations placed upon mothers within the social and cultural context of Dublin.
One such character is Gretta Conroy, who appears in the story "The Dead." Gretta is a young woman who has been married to Gabriel Conroy for several years. Despite the love and affection that Gabriel has for his wife, Gretta's thoughts and emotions are centered around her mother, who she lost at a young age. Gretta's mother was a deeply religious and devoted woman who instilled in her daughter a sense of duty and responsibility towards others. As Gretta reflects on her mother's life, she feels a sense of guilt and sadness that she was unable to fulfill her mother's expectations and live up to her moral standards.
Another mother figure in "Dubliners" is Mrs. Mooney, the protagonist of the story "The Boarding House." Mrs. Mooney is a strong and independent woman who runs a boarding house and is determined to provide for her children, despite the challenges she faces as a single mother in a male-dominated society. Mrs. Mooney's relationship with her son, Jack, is strained, as she is overly protective and controlling of him. However, her love for her son is evident as she tries to secure a good future for him by arranging a marriage with Polly Mooney, a wealthy young woman.
In contrast to Gretta and Mrs. Mooney, the mother in the story "Eveline" is a more passive and submissive figure. Eveline is a young woman who is torn between her loyalty to her family and her desire to escape the confines of her domestic life and start anew with her lover, Frank. Eveline's mother is an abusive and controlling figure who is deeply unhappy and takes out her frustration on her daughter. Eveline's feelings of guilt and responsibility towards her mother ultimately prevent her from leaving with Frank and pursuing her own happiness.
Through the portrayal mothers in "Dubliners," Joyce illustrates the complex and varied experiences of motherhood. These mothers are all deeply loving and devoted to their children, but they also struggle with their own personal and societal expectations and challenges. Their relationships with their children reflect the love, sacrifice, and conflicts that are inherent in the role of a mother.