The Search for the Ubermench

Mr. James Duffy seems like quite the boring recluse. Not only does he live outside of the city because he “wished to live as far as possible” (87) from Dublin, he lives in a completely bland home. He has “uncarpeted” (87) floors, walls “free from pictures” (87), and all “white” (87) lamps, bedclothes, and bookshelves. All of this contributes to, quite literally, the least excited living space possible. This all seems consistent with his deeply ingrained solitariness.

But that is were the consistency ends. Duffy seems to flip flop on his feelings towards his lifestyle. At first, Duffy seems dedicated to, and proud of living with “neither companions nor friends, church nor creed,” (88) further evidenced by his choice to live outside of the city. Once he meets Sinic, he “seized” (89) the opportunity to talk to her, a significant descent from his original position. After he begins his relationship with Mrs. Sinico, his internal monologue continues to insist on “the soul’s incurable loneliness.” (90) Joyce may want to depict the struggle of the intellectual, especially in a less than enlightened environment. Duffy, intellectually isolated by the “obtuse middle class” (90) that would never accept his progressive ideas, turns to Sinico as a confidant. At first, I took this as Joyce critiquing the singularity of some philosophers. How can someone truly ponder the human condition without actually living amongst other human beings and living a normal life? The final epiphany supports this when Joyce leaves us in “perfect silence” (96) and Duffy feeling “alone,” (96) feeling the absolute loneliness and emptiness of his life until now, again shifting his position.

Interestingly, Duffy’s opinion seems to have been significantly influenced by Nietzsche. ThusSpake Zarathustra denounces pity and exalts personal enhancement. Using this a baseline, Duffy would be in the right to live as a recluse, apart of the self-indulgent society of Dublin. Moreover, Duffy would be right to have abandoned Sinico because of her inferior will power.

One thing I do not understand is Duffy’s opinion of the general population. At one point, the narrator notes his fear of the “gilded youth” (88) seemingly showing a level of admiration or at least appreciation of the youth and by extension the future of Dublin. However, Duffy quickly contradicts this sentiment concluding that Dublin will not see a social revolution for “some centuries” (88). Moreover, he shows a significant amount of disdain for society, only existing within society to fulfill his family duties in accordance with the “old [dignity].” (88)