In James Joyce's short story "The Boarding House," Mrs. Mooney is a major character because she is the protagonist. [Protagonist: the character whom the author focuses on and through whom the narrative is often focalized (directing the focus of reader attention).] Polly is in some sense a second protagonist, and therefore a major character, since the story cannot happen without her and because she is central to everything Mrs. Mooney does in the boarding house after Polly takes up with Mr. Doran. However, it is important to note that critics classify Mrs. Mooney as one of Joyces's "monstrous" mothers who feature prominently in The Dubliners.