Focalization and Narrator in James Joyce’s Counterparts

Abstract

This paper analyses James Joyce’s short story Counterparts from the perspective of the narrator and the concept of focalization. The paper begins by giving a brief theoretical exposition of the two terms ‘narrator’ and ‘focalization’ and proceeds to examine the text in its natural narrative sequence. Joyce’s skilful manipulation of focalization as a narrative tool takes the reader on a journey through the protagonist’s private thoughts and feelings as the events in the story unfold. The focalization keeps on shifting as the action advances in its temporal and spatial parameters. The reader gets a glimpse into the consciousness of the main character as encapsulated in the narrative leading to multiple cognitive interpretations.