In "The Boarding House," Joyce presents his personal point of view of Dublin as microcosm. Thus, the boarding house is not only the carrier of the story but also the mirror of the Dublin in the certain period of time. Marriage is the main clue throughout the whole story, and Joyce used marriage to reveal his own perception of Dublin-the city, the culture and the people. In "The Boarding House," the author is trying to provide scenes of ordinary life to illustrate that social strategy of manipulation and acceptance of unexpected affairs are the only way to survive. And people of greediness and innocence get involved.

Mrs. Mooney, the owner of the boarding house, got separated from an alcoholic who ruined their family life and their business. She set up the boarding house to maintain her own life with her children: Jack and Polly. Mrs. Mooney is a...