Symbolism In James Joyce’s Short Stories

This topic is chosen because of the importance of the use of symbolism in JamesJoyce’s early literature works. Besides, Dubliners is the representative work amongJoyce’s early publications. Except “The Dead” in it, the other three short stories,“IvyDay in the Committee Room”,“A Mother” and “Grace”, are less examined byChinese scholars.The present thesis is mainly focused on the analysis of the symbolic meanings ofthe objects, settings, and characters in the above four short stories. Most of the objectsare old, most of the settings are dark, and most of the characters are either old or dead.Besides, most of the characters live a corrupt life. Through the analysis, it is arguedthat through the use of symbolism, Joyce successfully strengthened the theme ofDubliners---paralysis. It is represented through Joyce’s skillful depiction of smallobjects, gloomy settings, and the corrupt life of old characters.