Not-So-Gentlemen

       The title of the story "Two Gallants" is quite fitting for a Dubliners story because of the  ironic way in which it perfectly describes Corley and Lenehan.  A "gallant" is defined as a man who is stylish, brave, and attentive to women. That being said, both men demonstrate these traits, yet they do so in the wrong ways. For example, Lenehan's "breeches, his white rubber shoes and his jauntily slung waterproof"(36) are all ways in which he tries to appear confident, cool, and young. At the same time, however, his figure contrasts his clothing quite disturbingly: "But his figure fell into rotundity at the waist, his hair was scant and gray and his face...had a ravaged look."(36). Corley is described in a similar way; even though he behaves confidently by "holding himself erect"(38), his "large, globular, oily"(38) head also contrasts his confidence. As a result, while both men try to be stylish, dashing men, their very being seems to deny that persona.
       The two friends also have moments where they demonstrate bravery in unexpected and distasteful ways. The word "brave" is even used to describe Lenehan, but it merely refers to his "manner of coming up to a party of [his friends] and holding himself nimbly at the borders of the company until he was included in the round."(37). This shows that, while he finds the courage to walk up to people, he still is too shy and dependent to include himself or participate in his friends' conversations. Corley also often acts bravely; even though he works in a shady profession full of theft and deceit, he "was often to be seen walking with policemen in plainclothes, talking earnestly."(38). Although he certainly is bold to befriend police under his circumstances, his occupation still reveals his cowardly nature.
       Lastly, both men are very attentive to women, not out of chivalry but instead lust and greed. The focus of the plot of the story, for example, is the way in which the two use a "slavey"(37), or maid, to steal from her master. Even though his goal is money, Corley still makes a point to the woman's body: "I put my arm round her and squeezed her a bit that night."(37). Lenehan also seems deeply infatuated with the woman's appearance, for he makes a "swift anxious scrutiny"(41) of her from a distance. In fact, his lust for her causes Corley to question Lenehan's loyalty: "Are you trying to get inside me?"(40). All in all, the two men love women but as objects instead of people, yet again defying the definition of a gallant.
     While the men are clearly far from admirable characters, not one of their friends seems to judge them as harshly as they deserve to be; in fact they might even refer to them as two gallants. Therefore, is Joyce using these despicable characters in order to show how blind the Dubliners are to the crime and deception around them?