The stories were published in the and concern characters and life in Dublin, Ireland at the time. The infamous conclusion of Counterparts in which Farrington viciously beats his helpless son with a walking stick after returning from a frustrating day at work and the pubs seem for some to be more than adequate reasoning for his condemnation.
James Joyce, a well-known Irish author, uses symbolism repeatedly throughout his collection of short stories published in Our past plays a big role in our future, but we should not get stuck in our memories if they keep us away from moving on.
Joyce introduced the idea that language can be manipulated and transformed into a new original meaning. Every day she struggles with burdens that she should not have to bear and when the opportunity comes for her to get away from this retched life, she denies herself the chance.
This lack of will won't let the beatings of her father stop.
Therefore, the issues that he discusses in the different stories show how the lives of the people were not as happy as they all wished. In the short story, Eveline plans to go away with Frank to Buenos Ayres, but Eveline fails to join him while remembering her promises she made to her mother.
They are victims of home, of the recognized virtues by society, of classes of life, of religious doctrines, and of women themselves.