What do you make of the fact that we learn a great deal about Gretta’s youth at the end of the story? How does this change your view of Gretta and her relationship with Gabriel?
Learning about Gretta’s past changed my view of Gabriel and Gretta’s relationship significantly. The story starts at what seems to be a fun lively party, however, it takes a turn for the worse when we learn that Gretta still thinks of her former deceased lover very fondly, and sees her relationship with Gabriel as dull and bland. Gretta’s reminiscing of her past proved to be the opposite of what Gabriel wants, which was in his speech about how people should live in the present rather than the past. As a reader, I felt sad for Gabriel because his lover was crying over someone in what seemed to be a much more livelier relationship than that of Gabriel and Gretta. It was assumed in the beginning that Gretta and Gabriel had a good relationship, but that perspective completely changes when you hear underlying issues of the relationship.
I completely agree and in a way I feel that Gretta was using Gabriel to cushion the fact that her true love is dead. Gabriel was merely a replacement and Gretta probably envisioned Micheal Furey the entire time. In Gabriel’s eyes, the relationship was perfect, but in Gretta’s she knew the relationship had a toxic foundation.
I agree with your point about the misleading relationship between Gabriel and Gretta. Similar to your thoughts, I also felt sympathy for Gabriel, knowing that his significant other was crying over another man who is now dead while Gabriel was fantasizing about being alone with her. In this situation, their relationship can be considered a one-sided love and it is at this point that Gabriel realizes Gretta never felt the same way towards him, making him feel insignificant.