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After the Race is a short story by James Joyce published in his 1914 collection Dubliners.
[edit] The story
The story begins with an auto race in progress through the streets of Dublin. The cars mostly carry continental crews, except one in which a young Irishman named Jimmy Doyle is riding with Charles Segouin, a Frenchman, Segouin’s French-Canadian cousin, and Villona, a Hungarian. Jimmy is the well-provided and well-educated son of a wealthy merchant. He is conscious that his father had to go through great pains to achieve his success and is careful not to squander his money. His investment in the race is considered wise by his father. After the race, the group dine at Segouin’s hotel. The dinner is considered an accomplishment in the Doyle family home, where Segouin and Villona go to change. The influence of alcohol emboldens Jimmy to challenge Routh, an Englishman, on political matters, prompting Segouin to intervene unobtrusively but decisively. The party continues on the yacht of an American named Farley, where Jimmy loses a lot of money at cards. Jimmy realizes he will suffer regret in the morning but looks forward to the intervention of sleep. At that moment, Villona opens the cabin door and announces that morning has arrived.
[edit] References
- Joyce, James. Dubliners (London: Grant Richards, 1914)
Ireland
