paralysisA major theme in Dubliners, representing both physical and emotional immobility.
Definitions:
Incapacity to act or function in a body part or muscle"After his stroke, he experienced paralysis in his left arm."
A state of powerlessness or incapacity to act"In the face of crisis, he was stricken with paralysis."
epiphanyA moment of sudden and profound understanding or illumination
Definitions:
A moment of sudden revelation or insight"The protagonist experienced an epiphany at the end of the story."
gnomonA term from geometry Joyce uses metaphorically to describe ignorance or incompleteness
Definitions:
The part of a sundial that casts the shadow"The gnomon cast a long shadow across the sundial as the sun set."
simonyThe act of selling church offices or roles
Definitions:
The buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges"In the Middle Ages, simony was a common practice in the Church."
garrulousExcessively talking in a rambling, roundabout manner
Definitions:
Given to prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity"The garrulous man prattled on, seemingly without an end in sight."