Counerparts by James Joyce

Sam Ewing said: “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.” In the short story Counterparts, by James Joyce, the protagonist, Farrington, is a man whose life could be summarized as someone who just “turned up their nose”. By studying this story, it becomes apparent that Farrington’s effort at work is abysmal, his friendships laughable and his family life, that of a husband and father, in complete disorder.

Joyce ascertains immediately that our protagonist is something of a destitute man, living primarily for the end of his workday. Farrington is reprimanded for his inability to complete work on time, which we learn is due not only to his laziness but to his constant trips to the neighborhood bar. Joyce establishes early on in the story the main character’s drinking problem and occupational ineptitude, as, after being reprimanded, our charact...