Women
Irish women—and the way Irish men treat them—represent the decline of Ireland under English rule. The title of “Two Gallants” is ironic. To act “gallantly” is to display nobility and courtesy, especially toward women. But…
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Walking
Walking represents the general sense of aimlessness and unbelonging that plagues the story’s characters. Walking is commonly thought of as a way to get to a particular destination: from point A to point B. But…
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Harp
The harp, the national symbol of Ireland, represents the state of Ireland under English colonial rule. The harp that appears in “Two Gallants” is being played by a street performer. This harpist plays “heedlessly” and…
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The Gold Coin
The gold coin represents the transactional nature of relations in “Two Gallants.” Corley, for instance, does not associate with women out of a desire for love or even pleasure, but for what these women…
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The Moon
At one point in “Two Gallants,” Lenehan looks up at “the large faint moon circled with a double halo.” As the mention of the “halo” indicates, the moon symbolizes the pure, divine, and angelicin contrast…
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