“Through his representation of passive women Joyce is an anti-feminist writer. To what extent do you agree with this statement using a close analysis of Eveline and The Boarding House.”

In James Joyces short story The Boarding House female characters are presented as passive, but their shrewd demeanor and astute decisions to an extent convey a feminist representation. The opening line of the narrative describes Mrs. Mooney as a butchers daughter the possessive noun immediately taking independence away from the female protagonist. However the typically masculine description, of a determined and imposing woman goes against the contemporary stereotype, presenting Mrs. Mooney as strong feminist character capable of orchestrating the boarding house without male assistance. The young men are later described as Mrs. Mooneys the possessive noun mirroring the opening line; this marks a shift of power now portraying the woman as the controlling figure. Despite this empowering characterisation it is the masculine traits and contrasting descri…(short extract)