In this short story by James Joyce which was first published in the Irish Homestead, Joyce had made several revisions, cutting back on spoon to mouth feeding of facts to the readers. This is reflected in the final published version where it is only after rereads and picking up on certain phrases does one realise the underpinings related to catholic church and priesthood, both of which were points of concern for the writer.
Although, in today's times the hints might be more obvious than usual with several films already having been made on real life events of exposing the church, for example, Spotlight (2015). In an era when church was considered a top authority in more matters than one the hints are cleverly put by Joyce inside his story of the then ongoing but hardly talked about actions of the church.
Other than the plot, the characters are well woven with the dead protagonist coming alive through his coffin from stories still being told about him and the little remarks by the young boy who narrates. Small phrases from each of the people left behind are crucial to give the whole picture as it is in every real-life scandal and this is a story of one such scandal. That is also why this short read warrants a deep and detailed read if not a reread to truly experience the breadth of plot Joyce has explored in this short story and which was written by him in a few day's notice after the magazine which published it requested one such story.
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