Revealing the truths and realities about Irish society in the early 20th century, Joyces Dubliners challenged the prevailing image of Dublin at the time. A group portrait made up of 15 short stories about the inhabitants of Joyces native city, he offers a subtle critique of his own town, imbuing the text with an underlying tone of tragedy. Through his various character Revealing the truths and realities about Irish society in the early 20th century, Joyces Dubliners challenged the prevailing image of Dublin at the time. A group portrait made up of 15 short stories about the inhabitants of Joyces native city, he offers a subtle critique of his own town, imbuing the text with an underlying tone of tragedy. Through his various characters he displays the complicated relationships, hardships and mundane details of everyday life and the desire for escape - a yearning that so closely mirrored his own experiences.