Dubliners

An Encounter

An Encounter: Summary

"An Encounter" tells the story of a day of truancy that the narrator and his friends spend in Dublin. Their adventure ends with a disturbing encounter with an old man who talks to them inappropriately about boys, girls and corporal punishment.

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Overview & Analysis

"An Encounter" is a story about the narrator's day of truancy with his friends Joe Dillon, Leo Dillon, and a boy named Mahony in Dublin. The story opens with the boys' fascination with the Wild West culture, facilitated by Joe Dillon. He organizes and leads their play battles, showing a dominating and somewhat aggressive side.

The story then moves onto the narrator and his friends planning a day of adventure, skipping school to explore the city. The setting of the story stretches across Dublin, immersing the reader in the vivid urban landscape and the boys’ thrilling sense of freedom away from school and its rules.

Leo Dillon's failing to show up for their adventure casts a shadow of disappointment. However, it does not significantly dampen their day as they go about exploring the city, the quays, and the docks and engaging in playful antics.

A significant part of the story is their encounter with an older man in a field. This man, initially friendly, starts talking to the boys about girls, punishment, and makes clear his desire to whip boys who misbehave or lie, especially about their interactions with girls. His monologue on punishment becomes increasingly disturbing, transforming the encounter into a harrowing experience for the boys.

The man's unsettling words constitute the story's climax, leading to a sort of revelation or 'epiphany' for the narrator. He starts to see the world as a more complex and potentially dangerous place than his innocent Wild West games suggested, marking a step towards maturity. The narrator, paralysed but sensing the danger, abruptly leaves and calls Mahony. This moment signifies the resolution of the story.

The theme of the story revolves around the exploration of adolescence, learning, and the loss of innocence. The boys’ fascination with the Wild West, their day of truancy, and their encounter with the strange man reflect their curiosity, restlessness, and their longing for adventure. They want to escape from their stifling school environment, which is a common sentiment in adolescence.

The man’s weird monologue about punishment brings an unexpected dark twist to the story. It confronts the boys, particularly the narrator, with an adult world that is potentially predatory and perilous. The narrator's fear and his decision to leave signify his protective instinct and his ability to discern danger.

The story is also an exploration of identity, as seen in the choice of pseudonyms to escape being caught playing truant. The strange man's unsettling behaviour challenges the boys’ perception of adult behaviour, teaching them a crucial life lesson.

The narrator's final sentiment, "I was penitent; for in my heart I had always despised him a little," captures a sense of regret for underestimating Mahony and embodies the reflective nature of the story. The experience with the stranger leads to a newfound respect for Mahony, demonstrating growth in the narrator's character.

In conclusion, "An Encounter" is a thought-provoking story of adolescent adventure, exploration, and the unexpected revelation of the complexities of the adult world. It paints a vivid picture of the innocent world of childhood, subtly contrasted with the darker underpinnings of adulthood. The journey of the characters and their encounter with a strange man serve as a metaphor for the transition from childhood innocence to a more nuanced understanding of the world.

Characters