James Joyce's "After the Race" and "Two Gallants" from his collection The Dubliners have two very divergent plots that both feature various literary elements. "After the Race" tells the story of Jimmy Doyle's adventure in search of riches and great reputation, unable to see beyond his temptations. He longs to fit in with the rich and well-to-do people he associates with, but he is not competent enough to meet the demands. “Two Gallants” tells the story of Lenehan, a young man who makes an unconventional living through deception and theft. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Although he wants a stable job and a family before he becomes old, he is unable to resist the lure of making money through his methods. Looking at the lives of Jimmy Doyle and Lenehan from an archetypal and symbolic perspective, both characters are archetypal characters who did not experience the fulfillment they desired in their problematic lives. Overwhelmed with remorse, Jimmy and Lenehan avoid and neglect their problems. Jimmy, who lives a life of simulated wealth and falsity, chooses to immerse himself in his riches although he is always aware of his reality. He gushes about the experience of driving a French car and often thinks about his status and his company's reputation. “It was nice after this honor to return to the secular world of spectators amid meaningful nudges and stares. Then, as for money, he really had a large sum under his control. (Joyce). The story depicts Jimmy obsessing over his presentation, convincing himself that he belongs with his fellow travelers. On the other hand, Lenehan fully acknowledged the complications in her life – wanting a stable job and a family. His meal of ginger beer and peas allowed him to contemplate his self-centered and lacking life spent with his partner Corley, engaging in theft. However, Lenehan makes no attempt to break away; he does not deviate from the plan developed by his partner and continues to follow Corley once their mission is successful. The personalities of both characters show that they are far from earning the life they want. Additionally, both characters' personalities in the company of other people contrast greatly with their personalities when alone. “Now that he was alone, his face looked older. His cheerfulness seemed to abandon him, and as he arrived at the gates of Duke's Lawn, he let his hand run along them. (Joyce). Unlike the thoughtful and agile personality he projects when alone, Lenehan feels the need to behave indifferently towards the waitress who serves him at the store, speaking rudely and changing his body language to negate her "air of nobility" . His behavior also changes around Corley, starting a conversation with cliché responses and carefully chosen responses to avoid provoking his partner. In comparison, Jimmy appears calculating but remorseful when alone, constantly reflecting on his actions around others and being eluded by the amount of money he spends on pointless activities. Although he pays tribute to his father who invested in his education and business, he does. doesn't pay attention to the fact that his father favored his entire lifestyle, providing him with a prestigious education and excellent connections. Without his father in his life, Jimmy would have found himself all alone, even less satisfied with his life than he already claims to be. Lenehan and Jimmy Doyle further confirm that fulfillment is not achieved by adopting a..