The Boarding House

The Boarding House
                                                                                                                - James Joyce

In his story “The Boarding House” James Joyce presents a picture of his own experience of growing up in Dublin, Ireland. In this story he presents a story of a determined woman who manages her family successfully even in tough time.

Mrs. Mooney was a butcher’s daughter. She married with one of the leader of her father’s shop and started her own near Spring Gardens. But after the death of his father-in-law, Mr. Mooney began to drink and ruined the name of the family. One day he fought with his wife in front of the customers and ran with naked knife towards his wife. Mrs. Mooney went to her neighbor’s house with her children and afterward she lived separated from her husband. With the saved money, Mrs. Mooney ran a boarding house where various people used to live. Mrs. Mooney’s daughter – Ms Polly was a beautiful and young girl of 19 who sang with her boarders at the Sunday nights. Polly talked with the young men and flirted them but Mrs. Mooney knew that nobody was serious on the matter.

Mrs. Mooney kept watching Ms Polly but didn’t say anything for she was waiting for the appropriate moment. Ms Polly also knew that her mother was watching her, but knew why she was left free. Mrs. Mooney sent her daughter to corn merchant’s office but she called her back when the sheriff came asking about her. Mrs. Mooney began to get fame as a keeper of a boarding house. Everyone respected her and addressed as “madam”.

One Day, Mrs. Mooney noticed that there is something between her daughter and one of her boarder – Mr. Doran. He was a serious type of person and had a good job. Every one in the house knew about the affair but Mrs. Mooney waited for the right time. When she realized that her daughter had serious relationship with Mr. Doran, she planned to deal the matter.

Mrs. Mooney had talked to her daughter on the previous night about the subject, and Ms Polly was frank in answering her mother’s questions. Early in the Sunday morning, Ms Polly entered into the room of Mr. Doran and told that her mother was planning to talk with him. Mr. Doran consoled her with soft words. Mr. Doran didn’t want to socialize the affair because that would make him to lose his job but he couldn’t accept the girl easily because he feared that his family would not accept her. But on the other hand, Mrs. Mooney had made a clear plan how to deal with Mr. Doran. She could protect her side because Mr. Doran was around 35 and Polly was a very young girl. She could bargain that he was taking the advantage of an innocent girl.

When Mr. Doran was with Ms. Polly and talking with her, the servant called Mr. Doran. Ms. Polly remained in his room dreaming her future. After some time, she heard the voice of her mother that Mr. Doran was willing to talk with her. She ran towards her mother dreaming the life with Mr. Doran.

Thus, the story presents the character of a woman who boldly faces the problem of the family and save it from ruin.