10 Questions
What prompts Gretta to recall the man she loved before she married Gabriel?
A melancholy love song, 'The Lass of Aughrim', sung by one of the guests
What is the significance of Gabriel's epiphany in the story?
It reveals his own self-absorption and limited perspective
What is the narrative feature of 'The Dead' that makes it a rich but challenging piece of fiction?
The distinctive use of free indirect discourse
What is the nature of Michael Furey's love for Gretta, according to Gabriel's realization?
It was a deep and abiding love that Gabriel cannot compete with
What is the effect of Gabriel's epiphany on his understanding of his wife and humanity?
It allows him to view his wife and humanity in a new and more humble way
What is the primary function of the epiphany in James Joyce's short stories?
To provide a plot twist or denouement
What is the significance of the snow in 'The Dead'?
It serves as a unifying metaphor for the characters' isolation
What is the result of Gabriel's epiphany in 'The Dead'?
He becomes more empathetic towards his wife and others
What is the implication of Joyce's portrayal of Dublin in 'The Dead'?
That the dead have a hold over the living
What is the effect of the atmosphere shift from external to internal in 'The Dead'?
It highlights the importance of the characters' inner lives
Study Notes
'The Dead' by James Joyce
- The story takes a melancholic turn when a guest sings 'The Lass of Aughrim', prompting Gretta to recall her past love, Michael Furey.
- Gretta's memory of Michael Furey sparks an epiphany in Gabriel, signaling a change in tone in the last few pages of the story.
Gabriel's Epiphany
- Gabriel becomes aware of his desire for his wife, but she is too busy remembering Michael Furey.
- Gabriel realizes that his wife will always love Furey, and that Furey's love for her is unparalleled.
- This realization humbles Gabriel, making him view his wife and humanity in a new way.
Narrative Features
- James Joyce uses free indirect discourse, where a third-person narrator adopts the voice of a character.
- Epiphanies are a key feature of Joyce's short stories, providing a plot twist or denouement.
- Epiphanies in modernist fiction can be ambiguous, unsure if they bring genuine enlightenment or temporary change.
Symbolism
- The snow that is "general all over Ireland" symbolizes the country's grip by the cold hand of death.
- The snow represents isolation and coldness, creating a chilling atmosphere.
- The dead are more vital and interesting than the living, who carry on with their dull routines.
Themes
- The story explores the theme of the past holding the living captive.
- The dead have a hold over the living, and snow-covered Dublin is a city of the dead.
- The atmosphere of the story shifts from the external to the internal, symbolizing the power of death.
This quiz is about a scene from James Joyce's novel 'The Dead' where Gretta recalls a past love and Gabriel becomes aware of his desire for her.
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