Clay

by

James Joyce

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Rings Symbol Analysis

Rings Symbol Icon

Throughout “Clay,” the characters play Hallow Eve games in which they select objects that are supposed to foretell their future. In these games, selecting a ring symbolizes a coming marriage—but for Maria, rings symbolize a future that she wants, but which is out of reach. While most of the characters in the story see the straightforward association between rings and marriage and think no more of it, for Maria, a ring represents the marriage (and therefore the happiness and belonging) that she does not have and perhaps never will. Lonely and sad as she grows older without a husband, Maria clearly longs for the feeling of connection and security that a wedding ring may bring, but her social isolation and her insistent repression of her own feelings make it impossible for her to get what she wants. During a Hallow Eve tea at the laundry, one of the women jokes that Maria might find a ring in her piece of cake. While this woman likely doesn’t mean any harm, this joke is hurtful to Maria, not only because she really does want a husband (though she will not let herself admit it), but also perhaps because the woman’s attitude toward finding a ring is so casual. For her, a ring is a simple representation of marriage and an object in a game, but for Maria, not having a ring is ostracizing and devastating. Later on, at the Donnellys’, one of the next-door girls selects a ring as part of the Hallow Eve game, while Maria selects a lump of clay, symbolizing impending death. The contrast between Maria’s and the girl’s selections demonstrates that, while Maria may be surrounded by young women who are eligible for marriage, she herself will likely remain unmarried. Thus, while the ring represents marriage, it also represents a future of happiness and belonging that Maria will not have.

Rings Quotes in Clay

The Clay quotes below all refer to the symbol of Rings. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Loneliness and Estrangement Theme Icon
).
Clay Quotes

There was a great deal of laughing and joking during the meal. Lizzie Fleming said Maria was sure to get the ring and, though Fleming had said that for so many Hallow Eves, Maria had to laugh and say she didn’t want any ring or man either; and when she laughed her grey-green eyes sparkled with disappointed shyness and the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin. Then Ginger Mooney lifted up her mug of tea and proposed Maria’s health while all the other women clattered with their mugs on the table, and she said she was sorry she hadn’t a sup of porter to drink it in. And Maria laughed again till the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin and till her minute body nearly shook itself asunder because she knew that Mooney meant well though, of course, she had the notions of a common woman.

Related Characters: Maria
Related Symbols: Rings
Page Number: 97
Explanation and Analysis:

The two next-door girls had arranged some Hallow Eve game and soon everything was merry again […] The next-door girls put some saucers on the table and then led the children up to the table, blindfold […] when one of the next-door girls got the ring Mrs Donnelly shook her finger at the blushing girl so much as to say: O, I know all about it! They insisted then on blindfolding Maria and leading her up to the table to see what she would get; and, while they were putting on the bandage, Maria laughed and laughed again till the tip of her nose nearly met the tip of her chin.

Related Characters: Maria, Joe Donnelly, Mrs. Donnelly, Next-Door Girls
Related Symbols: Rings, Blindfold
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 100-101
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Clay LitChart as a printable PDF.
Clay PDF

Rings Symbol Timeline in Clay

The timeline below shows where the symbol Rings appears in Clay. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Clay
Loneliness and Estrangement Theme Icon
Sadness and Repression Theme Icon
Paralysis and Stagnation Theme Icon
Since tea is ready, Maria rings a bell and the women begin to file in, all of them sweaty from work.... (full context)
Loneliness and Estrangement Theme Icon
Sadness and Repression Theme Icon
Paralysis and Stagnation Theme Icon
...lead them up to a table with saucers on it. One of the next-door girls, during her turn in the game, selects a ring. The girls then “insist[]” that Maria participate.... (full context)