Grace (short story)

Infobox short story |
name = Grace
title_orig =
translator =
author = James Joyce
country = flag|Ireland
language = English
series =
genre = short story
published_in = "Dubliners"
publication_type = Collection
publisher =
media_type = Print
pub_date = 1914
english_pub_date =
preceded_by = "A Mother"
followed_by = "The Dead"

"Grace" is a short story by James Joyce published in his 1914 collection "Dubliners."

Plot summary

The story begins with an unconscious man who has fallen down the stairs in a pub after heavy drinking. A friend of his, Mr. Power, finds him, reveals him to be named Tom Kernan, and takes him home to his wife. Kernan is a salesman who once possessed an easy charm and manner but has since descended into alcoholism. An injury to his tongue sustained during the fall keeps Kernan in bed. Two days later, he is visited by his friends Power, M’Coy, and Cunningham. The friends have concocted a plan to get Kernan to attend a Catholic retreat with them. The four discuss many matters and finally settle upon religion. The friends mention going to a confessional retreat at a Jesuit church and invite Kernan along. He does not respond to the idea at first. The conversation shows a superficial understanding of faith, and the friends make many comical errors about the church. The scene shifts to the Jesuit church in Gardiner Street where all are listening to a priest’s shallow sermonizing. The story is characterized by humor and subtle irony.

References

*Joyce, James. "Dubliners" (London: Grant Richards, 1914)