Lenehan You Leech

The problem in Two Gallants is that these Dubliners don't want to leave. 

Lenehan is called “a leech” in the very beginning of Two Gallants (37). Why I think this description is appropriate unfortunately leaves us with more questions than answers, but perhaps Joyce intended as much.

From the very first description of Lenehan, we can tell that he must be somewhat of a suspicious figure: “in spite of his reputation, his adroitness and eloquence had always prevented his friends from forming any general policy against him” (37). What sort of adroitness allows a person to force himself on his so-called “friends?” Lenehan’s confidence, his “brave manner,” tends toward abrasive behavior as well. If you’ve ever had anyone hover around your circle of friends until he barged his way in, you know what Joyce is talking about. Lenehan oddly enough is equipped with “a vast stock of stories, limericks and riddles” to assuage the awkwardness he causes. In fact, even if someone were to call out Lenehan on his behavior, Lenehan would be “insensitive to [this and] all kinds of discourtesy.” Joyce continues, “No one knew how he achieved the stern task of living, but his name was vaguely associated with racing tissues,” to point out that, although Lenehan is a weird fellow, nobody thinks anything of him or his questionable activity…and that is precisely the problem. Lenehan is representative of a larger group of young, disenfranchised Dubliners. But everyone sees this group as indigenous to Dublin. As long as people consider Lenehan a “sporting vagrant,” they will not be able to see the disservice his ilk does Dublin generally.

Lenehan has lived in Dublin 31 years without making a valid contribution societally. Even when he realizes this, he does not effect change, but only worries more about the smalltime scam he is running with Corley. Unfortunately, however, I can make no suggestion as to how Lenehan could change his life at this point. What could he become to help Dublin? How does Dublin even begin to alleviate this problem? Joyce doesn’t really answer, but just puts it all on the table.