In James Joyce's short story "Clay", fate forces Maria into an existence as a nun and prevents her from realizing her dream of marriage. She seems satisfied with her position on the outside, but several clues suggest that this is not the case. Joyce makes this clear when he sets the first half of the story in the Lamplight Laundry, presenting Maria at her best: loved and appreciated. In the second part, on the way to and from the Donnelly house, his discomfort and disappointment become evident. At the end of the story, it is clear that Maria is resigned to the fate that destiny has assigned to her. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The futility of Maria's dream of marriage is evident throughout the story, which begins in the laundromat where Maria works. This section is permeated with references to Mary's similarities to the figure of a nun. Her name, Maria, is the prime example. Joe, whom Maria cared for when he was a child, said "Mother is mother but Mary is my real mother" (Joyce, 2442), drawing a connection between her and Mother Mary. His comforting voice is often heard saying "Yes, my dear, and No, my dear" (Joyce, 2441), reminiscent of the words of a priest hearing confessions. She is called "a real peacemaker" (Joyce, 2441) by the women at the laundromat and is known quite often for being the one who solves the women's problems there. Even the way he cuts the bar into “long, thick slices” (Joyce, 2441) almost seems to be a sacred, perfect, sanctified ritual. Even his preparations for Mass the next day, hanging out his clothes and setting his watch silently and precisely, suggest a sacred rite. Physically, Maria blends in with the crowd. Her build is described with phrases such as "very, very small" (Joyce, 2441), "petite" (Joyce, 2442), and, in her words, "a nice, neat little body" (Joyce, 2442). This tendency to avoid any strong sexual suggestions in her appearance is also reflected in her reactions to the marriage proposal, quietly rejecting it and rejecting any thoughts of romance or a man in her life, although this statement is betrayed by the narrator's description of the " disappointed shyness" (Joyce, 2442) expressed in his laughter. His conversation with the "grey-moustached gentleman" (Joyce, 2443) on the tram consisted of his rambling comments and only "modest nods and hems" (Joyce, 2443) on his part, showing the emotional distance he puts between himself herself and those around her, preventing anyone from entering and preventing her from leaving. Tension builds throughout the story as the reader senses Maria's struggle to free herself from her apparent fate as a spinster. This becomes increasingly apparent as Maria leaves the laundromat and attempts to assert her independence by traveling to visit the Donnellys. Before arriving, he stops to pick up some presents for the family, a bag of penny cakes for the kids and a big slice of almond-frosted plum cake for Joe and his wife. The seller, "obviously annoyed by her" (Joyce 2443), sarcastically asked her if she wanted the wedding cake, adding insult to injury and painfully reminding Maria of her uniqueness. At the tram station, she thinks she has to get up because "none of the young people seemed to notice her" (Joyce, 2443), but a slightly drunk old man, who she thought looked like a colonel, makes room for her next to him. . This conversation hints at a certain desire on Maria's part to have that romance in her life, something that is part of a dream for her, leading the reader to think that this could be the beginning of a possible romance love to get her out of.