Little Cloud or Little Chandler? Or Both? - Significance of the Title

          

Chandler - a childish mind stuck in an adult body

             I have never heard of any character ever being compared to a cloud before, but I must say Joyce uses the title, “A Little Cloud,” to describe the main character very well. Although at first it is not quite clear how the title sheds light on Chandler’s character, the reader can notice how the word “little” as in the title is often used to describe Chandler in the story. Describing Chandler as little, Joyce gives the impression that the main character is still a child and is inferior to the popular Ignatius. The fact that Chandler is of a small stature jeopardizes his manhood. At the time, Dublin men emphasized their manliness. Physicality was equal to masculinity, which in turn, in a large part determined the reputation of a man. Chandler’s small stature automatically places Chandler below his companion.

            Chandler’s comparison to a cloud emphasizes his childishness and passivity, since clouds are subject to the forces of nature. Chandler remains inactive and simply receives Gallaher’s action as, “Ignatius Gallaher slapped his friend sonorously on the back. ‘Bravo,’ he said, ‘I wouldn’t doubt you, Tommy.’ Little Chandler smiled, looked confusedly at his glass and bit his lower lip with three childishly white front teeth” (63). We can see how Chandler feels inferior to Gallaher, as he remains quiet and nervous while his friend congratulates him on being a father. The fact that Chandler feels confused and looks down at his glass suggests that he is not used to receiving compliments – even sarcastic ones – from the experienced and well-traveled Gallaher. Also, Chandler’s “childish white teeth” show his inexperience and present him as a ~30 year old child- a childish mind stuck in an adult’s body.

            Throughout the story Chandler is described by Joyce as passive, inferior, childish, and nervous. The question that remains is whether Joyce believes if Irish society can find confidence in itself and if Ireland can rise up to be a player on the international stage? Can Ireland mature out of its childish stage?