Literary Analysis of James Joyce's 'The Dead'

Study Notes

The main theme of James Joyce's 'The Dead' is the exploration of identity, nationality, and the relationship between the past and present.

The host of the annual Christmas party in 'The Dead' is the Morkan sisters.
The episodes of the Christmas party are punctuated by music, singing, and dancing.
Gabriel sees Mrs. Malins standing still and attentive to the words of an old Irish song at the party.
Gretta reveals to Gabriel at the hotel that she had a romantic love for Michael Furey, a young man who died for her, and that she is still emotional about it.
'The Dead' ends for Gabriel with a sense of emotional numbness and disconnection from his wife and his Irish heritage.

Lily's bitter remark to Gabriel about men implies that she has been mistreated or disappointed by men in the past.
Molly Ivors rebukes Gabriel as a 'West Briton' because he appears to be rejecting his Irish roots and identifying more with British culture.
Gabriel shows his rejection of his Irish roots through his disparaging remarks about the Irish language and his adoption of British mannerisms.
Gretta seems indifferent to wealth or social status, suggesting that she values emotional connections and personal experiences over material possessions.
Gretta's absorption in memories of the past suggests that her relationship with Gabriel is lacking in passion and emotional depth.
Gabriel seeks his identity through his relationships with others, particularly women, and his desire to escape his Irish heritage.
Gabriel tries to repair his mistake with Lily by offering her a generous tip, but is met with her bitter response.
Lily's bitter response reveals that she has been hurt or exploited by men in the past and is wary of their intentions.
Gabriel's reaction to Molly Ivors' confrontation is one of defensiveness and embarrassment.
Gretta's past love for Michael Furey impacts her marriage with Gabriel, suggesting that she may have settled for Gabriel rather than following her heart.