「작은 구름」의 제목과 영웅담론

Abstract

As one of the short stories in Dubliners with which Joyce was completely contented, “A Little Cloud” is quite unique in that its title has attracted a wide range of critical attention for a long time. The title has been understood mainly in terms of specific characters, allusions from literary works, and a metaphor with negative implication. According to our understanding of the title, the story may be read with a different perspective. Without taking into account Ireland’s political, social, and cultural backgrounds, many critics have read the story, assuming that the title is from “1 Kings” of the Bible, where Elijah sees “a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” As a writer from a colonized country, Joyce was aware of the role of heroic discourse, which was appropriated to boost and consolidate the Western imperial project. In “A Little Cloud” Joyce challenges the heroic discourse which glorifies heroes like Elijah. While reminding us of Elijah, Chandler is comically described as an anti-heroic man who cannot escape from his dry and monotonous life far from performing heroic deeds.