With his small stature, Thomas Chandler was called “Little Chandler” because he “gave one the idea of being a little man.” With small hands that were white, delicate and had well manicured cuticles, Chandler maintained a well kept groomed look. It was important for Chandler to take the “greatest care of his fair silken hair and moustache” for his outward appearance mattered a great deal working in the King’s Inns.
In an ideal world, Chandler’s life appeared perfect. Having a lovely baby with his wife Anne, establishing a stable career and having exceptional manners. However not everything seemed perfect to Chandler. Almost depressed Chandler “watched the scene thought of life; and he became sad.” Covering up true feelings and emotions, Chandler desperately wanted to “read out something to his wife.” However his shyness and insecurity overwhelmed him. The discomfort of ordinary life made his dreams of reading and writing poetry unattainable. Chandlers accurate feelings are more clearly exposed when he meets his old friend Ignatius Gallaher.
While on his way to meet Gallaher, Chandler thinks more about poetry with great passion. Ignatius Gallaher had moved to London and was a very successful journalist. Throughout their reunion Gallaher enlightens Chandler with his outstanding stories about travel. This only escalades the unrealistic desires Chandler has about writing poetry. Throughout the gathering, Chandler and Gallaher enjoy a few drinks. Chandler begins to see how substandard, incompetent and underachieved he is when comparing himself to Gallaher. Dissatisfaction and jealousy overwhelms him. Throughout the story, Chandler rarely reflected on all the accomplishments in his life. When he thought “what changes those eight years had brought” he failed to think about his own changes in his life. Nothing in his life seemed worth discussing in detail. From his marriage to his career where he usually “gaze out of the office window” his description of it all was very vague. Chandler saw that his life was completely opposite from Ignatius Gallaher however still felt cheated in life. Feeling resentful towards his wife, Chandler still returns home. While cradling child to sleep he wonders why he ever married his wife and if there was a way out. Chandler continued to compare himself to his old friend, wondering if “it was too late for him to try to live bravely like Gallaher?” His baby boy suddenly wakes up and Chandler is unable to soothe him back to sleep. While shouting at the young infant, Anne runs into the room and takes the child from him. Sitting in disbelief, Chandler feels remorseful for what he has done. He seems to realize that he is responsible for feeling incomplete and can only blame himself for his own life outcome.
All of Thomas Chandler’s traits played an important influence on the outcome of this story. From his well maintained manner to his bashfulness and to his ignorant view on his life. One could see that a belief that any man, who stands for nothing, not only could, but would fall for anything is a man with an undeveloped sense of self. Thomas Chandler was a man with an undeveloped sense. He came to the unpleasant reality of his situation and hopefully from now on he will make the right decisions in life.
