One of the most obvious literary devices Joyce uses in “The Boarding House” is flashback. The story begins with a flash back to the past to demonstrate Mrs. Mooney’s character and background, as well as Polly’s and Jack’s. Readers also see Mr. Doran’s flashback to when his relationship with Polly first began. Both instances demonstrate important aspects of the characters as well as the plot. Readers see that Mr. Doran does in fact care for Polly, and she for him. Additionally, readers see that Mrs. Mooney has survived a bad marriage, which is why she is determined Polly will have a good, or at least advantageous, marriage. These flashbacks are crucial to understanding the characters and how the plot develops.

Another important literary device that Joyce applies is allusion. It is never explicitly stated that Mr. Doran and Polly sleep together, but it is alluded to throughout the story. For example, Mrs. Mooney thinks about “reparations” for her daughter’s “honor,” and Mr. Doran confesses to the priest. The use of allusion is important because many readers of Joyce’s era would have found a more explicit reference to a sexual relationship offensive.