Abstract: From the perspective of functional stylistics， the expansion clause complexes in James Joyce's Two Gallants were examined in terms of taxis， logico-semantic relation types and presentational sequencing. Based on an analysis of clause complex structures and a comparison of possible stylistic variations， it was found that despite a lack of the manifestation of overly complicated structures or prominent deviations， the clause complexes in this story do achieve precise effects of characterization， highlighting the nuances of the main character Lenehan's thoughts and abnormal behaviors. Therefore， Two Gallants can and should be read as the story of Lenehan， a materially and spiritually trapped Ulysses in the paralyzed city of Dublin.

Key words: functional stylistics, clause complex, characterization, James Joyce, Two Gallants