Gabriel: An Awakening To Mortality In “The Dead“

Gabriel Conroy, the protagonist in the short story “The Dead” by James Joyce, is the victim, due to his delusional feelings toward humanity and his ignorance against the mortality of all mankind. “A teacher and critic of literature,” […] (Benstock 85) Gabriel is a sensitive man who doubts himself and his abilities. In order for him to mask his insecurity, he has convinced himself that he is superior to others. In doing so, Gabriel has always been able to keep his emotions well hidden. He realizes that these delusional thoughts have created his dead existence. When Gabriel hears of Gretta’s lost love, Michael Furey, he experiences a life changing epiphany. It is at that moment that Gabriel realizes that his world is not what it seems. Gabriel was unaware that Gretta had loved another before him. “All her married years Gretta had held secret from Gabriel her love for Michael Furey, the tubercular lad who worked at the gasworks and died at seventeen burning with passion for her after he struggled through the rain to visit her.” (Billigheimer 473) The spiritual uprising of Michael from the kingdom of death compels Gabriel to re-evaluate his indif

Although this short story encompasses just one evening, Gabriel learns more about Gretta in a single night than he has learned in their entire ten years of marriage. “The loud chatter and mirth of the guests leaving the festivities are overshadowed by the quiet picture of Gabriel gazing at his wife at the top of the stairs.” (Loomis 150) He is captivated by her unmoving silhouette and wonders what she is doing when he hears the faint sound of someone playing a piano followed by the voice of Bartell D’Arcy singing. Gabriel’s mind revels at the image of Gretta. He sees her as angelic and envisions painting her in that pose. As Gretta is descending the stairs, Gabriel notices that her manner is somewhat altered. He is puzzled by this sudden change that has taken place. “As they undertake their journey towards their hotel, Gabriel finds himself overcome with a burning passion for his wife.” (Billigheimer 473) He begins to visualize their memories of an intimate past. Gabriel is, in essence, trying to recreate the life he wishes to escape. The readers once again find the protagonist attempting to break free of the death grip that has taken control of him.

and idealising his own clownish lusts, the pitiable fatuous fellow

Some topics in this essay:
Michael Furey, Gabriel Gretta, Dead” Joyce, Bartell D’Arcy, Miss Ivors, Gretta Gabriel, Gabriel Lily, James Joyce, Epiphany Catholic, Molly Ivors, “the dead”, michael furey, short story, main character, billigheimer 473, dead existence, gabriel realizes, hotel gabriel, short story “the, life gabriel, snow gabriel’s, character short story, love michael furey, story “the dead”, “the dead” gabriel,