Mr Duffy is a fictional character from the novel Dubliners, by James Joyce. He is a middle-aged man who lives a quiet and austere life in a small house located in a suburb of Dublin, Ireland. Mr. Duffy lives alone, and holds a job as a clerk at a British firm in the city. He is a lonely figure, with few connections to other people, and his life is characterized by an almost paralyzing sense of boredom. Mr. Duffy is an important figure in the novel, as he serves as an example of a Dublin middle-class life, and the sense of paralysis that can come with it.
The five best examples of Mr. Duffy's life can be seen in various moments throughout the novel.
The first example is his relationship with Mrs. Sinico. Mrs. Sinico is a woman whom Mr. Duffy meets at a music hall, and with whom he eventually has an affair. This affair is short-lived, however, and ends abruptly when Mrs. Sinico's husband discovers the situation. The affair serves to demonstrate the longing for companionship and attention that lies beneath Mr. Duffy's austere exterior.
The second example is the death of Mrs. Sinico. After their affair ends, Mr. Duffy is left feeling guilty and responsible for her death. This event serves to show how Mr. Duffy's sense of responsibility and guilt can be both pronounced and prolonged.
The third example is Mr. Duffy's encounter with Little Chandler. Little Chandler is a young, impressionable poet whom Mr. Duffy meets during one of his walks through the city. Mr. Duffy finds himself both fascinated and repulsed by Little Chandler's naive enthusiasm, which serves to highlight the contrast between Mr. Duffy's restrained resignation and Little Chandler's youthful enthusiasm.
The fourth example is Mr. Duffy's thoughts on the death of Maria. Maria is a young girl whom Mr. Duffy meets when she comes to his door asking for help. After he refuses, she commits suicide. This event serves to demonstrate how Mr. Duffy's sense of responsibility extends beyond his own life, and how his feelings of guilt can be harsh and long-lasting.
The fifth and final example is Mr. Duffy's decision to move away from Dublin. At the end of the novel, Mr. Duffy decides to move away from Dublin, and start a new life in a rural area. This serves to show how Mr. Duffy's sense of stagnation and paralysis is eventually overcome, and how with courage and commitment he can make a positive change in his life.
In summary, the character Mr. Duffy from Dubliners serves as an example of a Dublin middle-class life and the sense of paralysis that can come with it. The best examples of this can be seen in his relationship with Mrs. Sinico, the death of Mrs. Sinico, his encounter with Little Chandler, his thoughts on the death of Maria, and his eventual decision to move away from Dublin. Together, these moments serve to show how even a seemingly detached and reserved figure can still experience a profound sense of longing and guilt, and can still find a way to make a positive change in his life.