The tone of “A Painful Case” is simultaneously judgmental and compassionate. The primary judgmental tone comes from Duffy, whose rigid and harsh views are communicated by the narrator. This tone comes across in moments like the following, in which Duffy responds acrimoniously to Mrs. Sinico’s suggestion that he “write out his thoughts” on politics and philosophy:
For what, he asked her, with careful scorn. To compete with phrasemongers, incapable of thinking consecutively for sixty seconds? To submit himself to the criticisms of an obtuse middle class which entrusted its morality to policemen and its fine arts to impresarios?
Duffy’s bitter tone—as channeled through the narrator—comes across in language like “careful scorn” as well as “phrasemongers” and “obtuse middle class.” It is clear that Duffy sees himself as superior to those around him and does not feel he should “submit himself to” engagement with anyone he sees as beneath him (which seems to be most people).
Though subtle, there is a secondary judgmental tone in moments like this that comes from Joyce himself. In making Duffy so hyperbolically conceited and unaware (and therefore an unsympathetic character), Joyce is subtly suggesting that he does not approve of Duffy’s behavior and encourages readers to view him with this sort of negative judgment as well.
It is notable that, while these layers of judgment exist in the story, there is still an earnest and emotional tone that comes through, especially in the moments that Duffy is able to access his emotions and let down some of his walls. This tone is present when Duffy is developing intimacy in his relationship with Mrs. Sinico as well as when he grieves her death at the end of the story.
