Irish Infighting

          The opening scene of James Joyce’s “Counterparts” radiates a suppressed violence between Ireland and Britain. In the first paragraph alone the word “furious” is repeated twice. From the start Joyce is hinting that this story will be a story taking about the anger of the people of Dublin. The owner of the furious voice spoke in a “North of Ireland accent” showing that he is from Northern Ireland, which has more of a British influence. As a result of this influence the North became of more Protestant dominated area, which created friction between the far stauncher Catholic South. Joyce here could be referencing a problem that extends past Dublin that exists throughout Ireland of Irish fighting against their fellow Irishmen. When Mr. Farrington hears that Mr. Alleyne wants to see him, Farrington curses him. When he gets up to Alleyne’s office, Mr. Alleyne asks, “Why have I always to complain of you?” (68) showing that this is a recurring problem between these two characters. This symbolizes the struggle that has been going on between these two groups for centuries. The animosity existing between these two is a constant theme throughout the story, and one I think Joyce is saying needs to be addressed. For Ireland to improve, they need to reconcile their differences.