The characters in James Joyce's Dubliners live in a world where they are psychologically stagnant despite the impact of social experiences on their lives. The development of each character depends on his interactions with others and his individual decisions. From childhood to adulthood, the protagonists have encounters with family, friends or colleagues that determine negative or positive effects on their growth and awareness of their current state of unhappiness. The addition of relationships, or camaraderie, does not become fully effective until the second half of the book, where the themes are expressed in darker tones and the writing style becomes more ambiguous. Joyce lightens the mood of Dubliners with the depiction of camaraderie in his last two stories, "Grace" and "The Dead", which give reality and complexity to the problems of Dublin life. In most cases, camaraderie does not sit well with the characters of Dubliners due to their innate sense of independence or their distrust of the community. But by distancing themselves from family and friends, they allow themselves to suffer alone. Their inability to engage in relationships and feel genuine compassion for others prevents them from experiencing the full benefit of camaraderie. The contribution of male and family camaraderie produces an ironic and whimsical effect in “Grace”, while “The Dead” ends with a bittersweet consequence for its protagonist. Joyce introduces the motif of alcoholism in all Dubliners, not only as an emphasis on an Irish stereotype but to contribute to the cause of the corruption of an adult Dubliner. It satirizes the Irish pub as a sort of meeting hall for this male camaraderie, although it is... middle of paper..." that Joyce is referring to. The endings of "Grace" and "The Dead" resonate intensely with the feelings of the soul looking beyond selfishness and prejudice. The indefinite conclusion allows readers to focus on the protagonist's ability to complete his reform. Sources of the book • Joyce, James, Edna O'Brien and Malachy McCourt. Dubliners. New York: Signet Classics, 2007. Internet Sources. 12 March 2012. "Penguin.com." . Penguin USA. March 12, 2012. • Williams, "Dublin.". 2012. .