How we cite our quotes: (Story.Paragraph)
Quote #4
His arms trembled with anger and suddenly bending to the child's face he shouted:
"Stop!"
The child stopped for an instant, had a spasm of fright and began to scream. (A Little Cloud.113-15)
It's a significant irony of Dubliners that a character as paralyzed in his life as Little Chandler also tries to make his infant son "stop" doing what is normal for a child. This is one more piece of evidence that paralysis is contagious. Oh, and it's really bad parenting to boot.
Quote #5
"I'll teach you to let the fire out!" he said rolling up his sleeve in order to give his arm free play.
[…]
The boy uttered a squeal of pain as the stick cut his thigh. He clasped his hands together in the air and his voice shook with fright. (Counterparts.76, 79)
Besides Mr Kearney's injury at the beginning of "Grace," which technically happens just before the story starts, this is the only act of violence in Dubliners. And it's hard to read, isn't it? It would be easy to write Farrington off as the villain of the collection, but he's not the only one with abusive tendencies. In his case, we get to see what leads to them—namely, alcohol.
Quote #6
The man sat down heavily on one of the chairs while the little boy lit the lamp. He began to mimic his son's flat accent, saying half to himself: At the chapel. At the chapel, if you please! When the lamp was lit he banged his fist on the table and shouted:
"What's for my dinner?" (Counterparts.70-71)
The role reversal shows just how messed up this is: insults and whining from the father, and cooking and housework for the little boy.