James Joyce. Every tale in the Dubliners collection alludes to the central theme of paralysis

        As the story opens, a young boy quickly discerns a strange sensation over the word "paralysis". "Every night as I gazed up at the window I said softly to myself the word paralysis. It had always sounded strangely in my ears…like the name of some maleficent and sinful being. It filled me with fear" (2). One cannot help but feel sensitive towards the boy. Seldom is known about him, yet Joyce's descriptions of the grim realities he faces in Ireland give the reader a reason to feel sympathetic towards him. When the boy speaks of the "maleficent and sinful being" that is emotional paralysis, the reader can also see that this boy has a curious mind. However, the weakness of this boy lies in his circumstance. He is paralyzed by his environment.        

        The end of each story describes the central character undergoing an epiphany. Although religion plays a part in this transformation, religion also plays a part of the illusion of control. After the character comes to this realization, they soon fall back to their prison of routine. It is a place where, emotionally, the character feels safe, but paralyzed. This feeling of helplessness stems from the odd relationships between the people of Dublin. No person feels as if they can trust another. Falling into this routine, the main characters in the novel shroud themselves in an illusion of trust. The characters believe they are in control of their future, when in reality, the people are at the whim of their future. In Dublin, life and death are little more than an unpleasant fact, and emotion amongst these people is nonexistent.