James Joyce's "The Dead"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the short story by James Joyce, "The Dead," which deals with the theme of what it means to live. The paper author feels that this title is critical to the work and enhances several aspects of the story:The emotionally unavailable characters of the story, who are physically living but emotionally dead and the main event of the story, Gabriel's epiphany. The paper describes that each of the people at the party appear lively, yet this is only an outward projection because, inside, these people are dead, emotionally dead and unable to change.

From the Paper:

"The title "The Dead" also relates to Gabriel. It is noted that the characters act based on ritual and remain emotionally dead. This is true of Gabriel at the beginning of the work, but by the end, Gabriel has changed. Throughout the Christmas party he sees it for what it is and a part of him longs to get away from it. At one point he looks outside and longs to "walk out alone, first along by the river and then through the park!" This is a sign of Gabriel wanting to escape from the dead. It is relevant that he longs to be outside in nature."

More papers on James Joyce's "The Dead":

• Comparison Essay # 36049 : " "The Dead"
• Essay # 85481 : "The Death of Ireland in James Joyce's 'Dubliners'"
• Analytical Essay # 33738 : "Initiation and Epiphany in James Joyce's "The Dead"

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