Grace by James Joyce
In Grace by James Joyce we have the theme of alcoholism, redemption, religion and paralysis. Taken from his Dubliners collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader becomes aware that Joyce, through his use of the word Grace for the title of the story, is word playing. The word Grace can have several meanings, it can mean the salvation of an individual through the favour of God. It can also mean elegance in movement or a period of postponement for monies due (Mr Kernan may owe money to Hartford). All these meanings have some type of relevance in the story. From the beginning the reader finds Mr Kernan lying on the floor of the toilets in a public house. He has fallen down. This action is significant as it can suggest that Kernan lacks grace (should grace be taken to mean elegance in movement). Kernan’s physical position (of lying down) is also important for another reason. The story ends with Father Purdon delivering a sermon from the pulpit. There is a physical rise upwards from the beginning to the end of the story. This symbolism (from fall to rise) can suggest the possibility of an individual receiving God’s grace, however it is unlikely that any of the men in the story actually receive God’s grace. Though there is the possibility of redemption for Kernan in particular, the reader never learns as to whether it is obtained.
The theme of alcoholism is self-evident in the story. It begins with a drunken Kernan being picked up off the ground. Later when Mr Power brings him home the reader learns, through Mrs Kernan, that her husband has been drinking all weekend and has spent all his money, leaving the family short. Also, Mr Power notices the mannerisms of Kernan’s younger children and is somewhat appalled. This may be important as Joyce could be suggesting the ‘wild nature’ of the children is due to the absence of a father figure (Kernan), again through his drinking. It is also significant that throughout the story, alcohol remains a focus. This is noticeable when Power and the other men are talking to Kernan in his bedroom, all the men are drinking. The fact that Mr Cunningham’s wife is an alcoholic would also suggest the idea or theme of alcoholism.
Joyce also appears to be putting an emphasis on religion in the story, something he also does in other stories from Dubliners. If anything he appears to be critical or slating of religion. The first noticeable instance of this is the fact the reader learns that Mrs Kernan believes religion is something that is habitual. This is important as it would suggest that Mrs Kernan does not really appear to possess a firm, unwavering belief in religion. It is also significant that even though she has some sort of belief in religion, Mrs Kernan does not believe that it is possible for her husband to change. Also the reader learns that Mrs Kernan ‘if she was put to it, she could believe also in the banshee and in the Holy Ghost.’
The idea or theme of religion is further explored in the story though Mr Cunningham. As he is talking to the other men and making references to religion, he makes numerous mistakes, some of which are corrected by Mr Fogarty. Cunningham would appear to be more interested in showing others his assumed great knowledge in religious affairs, rather than displaying any accuracy. Joyce may also be attacking the Catholic Church in the story through the character Father Purdon. Purdon Street in Dublin was once in the centre of what was known as the Monto, a red light district in Dublin. Also when Father Purdon is on the pulpit, there is the red light shining in the church. Joyce may be suggesting that Father Purdon is an unlikely or unsuitable facilitator of God’s grace. However it is interesting that when Purdon is giving his sermon he compares Jesus to an accountant. This may be significant as Purdon may be suggesting that each man has a period of grace, before he must rectify his books (or as Purdon probably means his life). It is also important as Joyce (or even Purdon) could again be playing with the word grace.
The idea of paralysis is also quite noticeable in the story. Like Ivy Day in the Committee Room, another story from Dubliners, Grace is predominately set in one room, Kernan’s bedroom. Also, all the men are sitting down, there is very little movement. Likewise, when Joyce moves the story to the church, there is very little action, the reader is brought from Kernan’s bedroom directly to the church and again the men are sitting down. The only elevation that is noticeable is Father Purdon standing in the pulpit and already the reader is aware that he may not necessarily be the correct person to ‘move men’ forward.
Whether Kernan receives grace or redemption at the end of the story is never known, however it is obvious that he needs some sort of help. The help he receives from Power, Cunningham and the other men seems to be misguided. Not only do they incorrectly interpret religious matters but they too appear to have alcohol problems. Regardless of this Joyce does still leave it open to the reader, which may be a suggestion that grace or redemption is open to all.