Even the most cursory of readings exposes repetition, alliteration, and a clear structure within just these nine lines.
Circularity is also evident when the beginning of the story is compared with the final paragraph.
I'm up to all their little tricks, Corley confessed. There are only four color words in the selected passage. As we have seen, Corley and Lenehan are both unwilling and unable to change or cease their aimless, selfish lifestyles. Although when Lenehan and Corley enter the story in the following pages, people take over as the subjects of Joyce's sentences, they still don't accomplish any positive action. Both men conclude that living a proactive lifestyle has not been successful for them.