Joyce, Question #3
I began reading the story keeping death in the back of my mind obviously considering the title is called “The Dead.” However, I did not, at all, expect the story to end in the way that it did. Since the majority of the first half of the story surrounded Gabriel, I thought that perhaps he would die or something traumatic would happen to him as the story progressed. I had already developed my judgments about Gabriel. He was this posh, prideful and authoritative man. When engaging in conversations I found him to be a bit immature because he was very passive-aggressive, constantly seeking validation from women. I caught onto his lack of appreciation for his Irish roots and his favoritism towards British influence. I really thought Joyce was preparing us for his death or the death of someone close to him. I believed that the loss of someone close would probably change his attitude and show some character development. I was pleasantly surprised Gabriel had a moment of realization not through the death of someone close but through the death of his wife’s past love.
Gretta was barely mentioned in the first half of the story so I am impressed with how Joyce molded Gretta’s experience into the story. I did not at all think this would be how Gabriel comes face to face with the concept of death. Of course, I had caught onto the subtle references to death, but the word was not boldly mentioned until the end of the story. Gabriel had always been emotionally and spiritually closed off. However, Gabriel himself realized that he was dead from the soul after learning of his wife’s past. He knows that Michael has tremendous power over him, “some impalpable and vindictive being was coming against him, gathering forces against him in its vague world.” Realizing that Michael, although dead, holds a sacred place in Gretta’s heart, Gabriel was terrified. He had a reign over Gretta’s emotions which Gabriel would never have because their love was dead. Perhaps, the love didn’t exist at all. I had gotten the impression at first that Gretta and Gabriel were in love, as it was mentioned he would look at her lovingly. However the twist at the end left me wanting to know how they would move past this.