Irish author James Joyce wrote a collection of short stories titled, Dubliners, in 1904-1907. However, the work itself was not published until 1914. Each story contains recurring themes such as art, politics, and religion. Specifically, the thematic devices presented in James Joyce’s After the Race include ideas about wealth, social status and class. His Irish background contributes tot the piece in that Ireland itself does not have its own identity yet. It is not an independent country although the people have developed their own new culture. Joyce uses strategic word choices and symbols to show the similarities and differences among the main characters from different nationalities. He incorporates issues of the time period in a way that the significance is often repeated throughout history and has a continuing meaning. Through James Joyce’s use of contrasting character developments of Irishman Jimmy Doyle and Frenchman Charles Ségouin, he compares the two people directly to their nations social and economic conditions of the time period.  

Joyce begins the short story with, “At the crest of the hill at Inchicore sightseers had gathered in clumps to watch the cars careering homeward and through this channel of poverty and inaction…” (Joyce, After the Race pg. 1) Joyce describes Inchicore, a suburb in Dublin, as being a low-class, non-progressive area. This reference is significant as Joyce could be suggesting the economic and social status of Dublin or generalizing Ireland as a country. The movement of the cars forward could also explain movement towards a better Ireland. Ireland at the time was quite literally ‘racing’ towards independence from England. However, it is interesting to note that Doyle is sitting back in the car and just observing the conversation between Ségouin and Riviére. This may suggest the idea that the country if Ireland is remaining observant to the governments and societies of the French and the Hungarians. Jimmy’s constant effort to fit in with the affluent characters portrays the efforts of Ireland to move towards independence, as well as political and economic success. Joyce is critical of his own home country which is surprising because nationality was a common trend of the time period and leading up to both World Wars. Most of Europe at the time portrayed was progressing and advancing in technology and knowledge. However, Joyce puts his home country of Ireland in a non-progressive and stagnant light. Joyce uses the other contrasting characters in the cars and their nationalities as an argument about progression among the different nations.

Throughout the story there is a clear disconnect of the character Jimmy and the others characters. The character most unlike Doyle is the Frenchman, Ségouin. The name Ségouin in this setting is spelled very close to the French word ‘Seguin’ which translates to victory. This is an interesting literary choice by Joyce because France itself as a country is very successful and powerful at the time. The name Jimmy even has a casual connotation to it and how it is spoken. This idea of a disconnect is noticeable while Jimmy is sitting at the back of the car, listening to Ségouin and Riviére’s conversation. He is unable to fully understand what they are saying. The author also suggests that Ségouin’s relationship with Doyle may be superficial and based merely on the foundation that Jimmy’s father is going to invest in Ségouin’s business venture. Joyce writes, “The dinner was excellent, exquisite. Ségouin, Jimmy decided, had a very refined taste. The party was increased by a young Englishman named Routh whom Jimmy had seen with Ségouin at Cambridge.” (Joyce, After the Race pg. 2) It is clear that Jimmy’s lifestyle is nowhere near similar to the Frenchman and the Englishman. The only similarity they share among them is where they attended university and even then there is a wealth gap in how each pay for their education. Doyle describes the dinner as being exquisite and of a very refined taste, much unlike his own. It is interesting to look at the relationship between the Englishman and the Frenchman in the context of their nations. Both England and France are powerful countries at the time, with grand government and social structures far beyond Irelands current reach. It is an exclusive relationship between the too that is clearly not met with ease. Wealth and social status come easily for the Frenchman rather than the Irish Doyle. Jimmy even realizes the unlikeliness between himself and the group when he is losing in a game of cards. He is aware of his place in the group yet makes the choice to not do anything about it. This aspect of the text could be suggestive to the actions of Joyce’s country at the time. 

It is important to understand the history of the time period to realize the texts full capacity and potential. Context is important in understanding the author’s meaning and intent. Joyce makes it a point to include the similarities and differences among the nations through the characterizations of Doyle and Ségouin. The two are from very different life styles, yet meet at school. Joyce intertwines the themes of social status and class, as well as the difficulties of upward mobility for the country of Ireland and Doyle himself. With the use of comparing countries, as a reader we are able to understand better how nationalism plays a role in relationships. 
