Chandler, unaware, will flock to Gallaher like a child wanting to hear a story, unaware that he is doing so because it furthers" himself, though it is quite clear to the reader that Chandler is possessed by an inner inertia to be accepted into the ranks of praise and worthiness. His inability to realize certain things about his life will come through in a painful epiphany later in the story, after his dreams have been shattered by the harsh reality of Gallaher's character, just as the dreams of the Irish have been shattered and cloaked under a reputation of the past and a pride on those that are long dead. .
Chandler's dormant perceptions arise as he looks into the face of his wife, whom symbolically, by the pact of marriage, is a mirror for himself. Her cold passionless eyes are a reflection of what it is she is gazing upon, and at the moment of the story, it is Chandler. Ironic that chandler perceives more from his wife through the distance of a photograph, a dim analysis of a living creature and its entire existence by the pixel fabrications of a picture. This is symbolic of Chandlers detachment from an outside, inspirational world, that holds lines of poetry by men that could touch life and feel passion. Her eyes are distant because he is distant from himself, and her eyes are passionless in mockery for the passion he desires for himself. Chandler is fond of poetry not because they are an artistic emblem of truth, or beauty. They are the creations of respected, and worthy men, holding an order of importance in life that Chandler will never have. Chandler muses on his "poet's soul" as he walks to meet with Gallaher, and Joyce deliberately does not include a line of poetry in that portion of the story. He reflects on the possibility of him having a poetic moment as another article of clothing that he can meticulously adorn upon himself, and show pleasingly to the ranks as they offer praise.