L.A. Notes for "The Dead" by James Joyce

Characters:

Gabriel Conroy

-A young teacher of literature who is the protagonist. He doesn’t love Gretta he loves to control Gretta.

Gretta

-Gabriel’s wife.

Michael Furey

-Gretta’s lover who risked his life for his love and lost it. Who effects Gabriel’s being towards the end of the story.

The Morkan sisters (Julia and Kate)

-Two elderly sisters. Hosts of the party. Very fond of Gabriel, who is their nephew.

Lily the housemaid

            -Greeted by Gabriel in a mean way as she greeted the Morkan sister’s guests.

Miss Ivors

-A teacher who dances with Gabriel. Teases him about being a writer for a conservative paper.

Mary Jane

-The Morkan sister’s niece who lives with them.

 Freddie

-The drunk cousin. He provides comedy to the story and party.

Setting

            A home of the elderly Morkan sisters and their niece, Mary Jane, in Dublin. The occasion is an annual dinner and dance for the family and friends of the Morkans held during Christmas week every year.

Climax

The revelation about his wife Gretta’s long ago love shatters Gabriel’s complacency about his family and his career.

Theme

            The theme of this work is self awareness/awakening. Gabriel finds out that he was not Gretta’s first love. The man that loved her died for their love and Gabriel becomes aware that he is insignificant to a woman he just wants to control and doesn’t really love. He’s not really jealous but more impacted by Gretta’s love story.

Tone

            The tone of this story is fun and lively. Joyce knows how to paint a picture of a lively crowd at a party. Towards the end the tone shifts to a less fun but neutral tone when Gabriel becomes more self aware of his life.

Summary

            As soon as Gabriel arrives to the party he tells an unfunny joke to lily about her love life and attempts to tip her. He then thinks about his speech he will give later that night. He dances with Miss Ivors who teases him on his career and after that he cannot take his mind off their conversation. He sees his wife indulged in the song playing. When the leave the party and  arrive at the hotel she cries and tells him about Michael Furey and their love. She falls asleep and he engages in deep thought about his life and career and ponders his life decisions and self.