In the short story "Clay" by James Joyce, fate forces Maria to live like a nun and prevents her from realizing her dream of marriage. She seems content with her position on the outside, but several clues suggest that is not the case. Joyce makes this clear as he sets the first half of the story in the Lamplight Laundry, presenting Maria at her best - loved and appreciated. In the second half, on the way to and from the Donnellys, his discomfort and disappointment become evident. By the end of the story, it is evident that Maria is resigned to the fate that fate has in store for her. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The futility of Maria's wedding dream is evident throughout the story, which begins at the laundromat where Maria works . This section is permeated with references to Maria's similarities to a nun figure. Her name, Maria, is the first example. Joe, who Maria cared for as a child, said, “Mama is mama but Maria is my own mother” (Joyce, 2442), establishing a connection between her and Mother Mary. Her comforting voice is frequently heard saying "Yes, my dear, and no, my dear" (Joyce, 2441), reminiscent of the words of a priest listening to confessions. She is referred to as a "true peacemaker" (Joyce, 2441) by the women at the laundromat and is often known for being the one who solves the ladies' problems. Even the way she cuts the barbracks into “long, thick slices” (Joyce, 2441) almost seems like a sacred, perfect, sanctified ritual. His preparations for the next day's mass, preparing the vestments and setting the clock with calm and precision, also suggest a sacred ritual. Physically, Maria blends into the crowd. Her figure is described with expressions such as "very, very small" (Joyce, 2441), "minute" (Joyce, 2442), and, in her own opinion, "a nice tidy little body" (Joyce, 2442). This tendency to avoid any strong sexual suggestions in her appearance is also reflected in her reactions towards the suggestion of marriage, quietly brushing it aside and refusing any thoughts of romance or a man in her life, although this statement is betrayed by the narrator's description of the “disappointed shyness” (Joyce, 2442) expressed in his laughter. Her conversation with the “gentleman with the grayish mustache” (Joyce, 2443) on the tram consisted of her rambling comments and only “demure nods and hems” (Joyce, 2443), showing the emotional distance she puts between her and those around her, preventing anyone from entering and preventing her from escaping. Tension builds throughout the story as the reader feels Maria's struggle to break away from her apparent destiny as a spinster. This becomes increasingly evident as Maria leaves the laundromat and attempts to assert her independence by traveling to visit the Donnellys. Before arriving, she stops to pick up a few gifts for the family, a bag of penny cakes for the kids and a big slice of almond-glazed plumcake for Joe and his wife. The saleswoman, “visibly annoyed with her” (Joyce 2443), asked sarcastically if she wanted a wedding cake, adding insult to injury and painfully reminding Maria of her singlehood. At the tram station, she thinks she should get up because "none of the young men seemed to notice her" (Joyce, 2443), but a slightly drunk old man, who, according to her, looked like a colonel, told her makes room next to him. . This conversation hints at a certain desire of Maria to have this romance in her life, something that is part of a dream..