James Joyce's short story "The Boarding House" is a story that broadly examines the nature of identity and perception. More specifically, the text examines the lack of autonomous identity as an idea of ​​self-definition in favor of a mode of contextualization within society. Joyce in this story is saying that to maintain one's identity and perception within society, individuals can be manipulated through preconceived social notions of morality. This theme is demonstrated through Mrs. Mooney's plan for her conversation with Bob Doran and Bob's internal reflections when he shaves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMrs. Mooney is shown in this text as a calculating and cold woman, and nowhere is this demonstrated better than when she is preparing for her conversation with Mr. Doran. It becomes clear that in this conversation Mrs. Mooney does not want Mr. Doran to marry her daughter for reasons related to love or emotions. She wants him to marry her because it would help her and her family socially. Mrs. Mooney runs a boarding house and has had a notoriously abusive relationship with her husband, so her reputation isn't the best. This is demonstrated by Mrs. Mooney's distorted perception of the argument as something to be won over rather than understood. Joyce writes of this: “She was sure she would win. For starters, he had the full weight of social opinion on his side.” This passage shows that Mrs. Mooney knew all along that this conversation would be more important than just the fact between her and Mr. Doran. He knew that the opinions of the entire community would play an important role and as such he would have the upper hand. This is a very literal and obvious example that demonstrates how Mrs. Mooney uses external social views and entrenched morality to get what she wants. While Mrs. Mooney uses social opinion as a tool to get what she wants, Mr. Doran, on the contrary, is subjugated by it. His dilemma is well encapsulated as he anxiously attempts to shave. This shaving in itself seems to be a subtle indication that the identity an individual projects is more important than the internal one, as the anxious Mr. Doran is making an effort to appear put together. However, the most interesting analysis comes when we examine what he thinks as he shaves, as Joyce writes: “All his long years of service have gone in vain! All his industry and diligence thrown away!” This passage clearly shows that Mr. Doran sees himself as a victim in this scenario, as he believes that his career and reputation will collapse no matter what. If he marries Mrs. Mooney's daughter, Polly, he will be despised for his association with a lower class of people, but if he does not, he will be despised for his immorality. This dilemma gives rise to an interesting discussion, as it forces us to consider what is worse: risking one's position or risking one's perceived good nature? The text certainly paints the latter as more influential, as the ending implies that the two will actually get married. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In this text, James Joyce is portraying Mrs. Mooney and Mr. Doran as people on opposite ends of the same issue. Not only are they representative of different aspects of a class-based society, but they are representative of how it itself.