He lived at a little distance from his body, regarding his own acts with doubtful side-glances. He had an odd autobiographical habit which led him to compose in his mind from time to time a short sentence about himself containing a subject in the third person and a verb in the past tense.
by James Joyce
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In James Joyce's "Dubliners," a character experiences a peculiar detachment from himself, observing his actions with uncertainty. This internal conflict suggests a disconnect between his true self and how he perceives his behavior. This sense of estrangement indicates inner turmoil and a search for identity amidst external expectations.
The character also engages in a unique autobiographical practice, crafting sentences about himself in the third person, highlighting a reflective nature. By framing his thoughts this way, he distances himself from his experiences, potentially as a coping mechanism to make sense of his life. This technique emphasizes his introspective tendencies and illustrates the complexity of his self-perception.
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