"The Dead" Analysis. Literature & Language Essay. (Essay Sample)

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“The Dead” Analysis
In James Joyce short story “The Dead” Gretta tells his husband (Gabriel Conroy) that, he is a “very generous person.” However, this praise is barely supported by what the reader comes to learn of him in the story. Notwithstanding, Gabriel’s “generosity” is eroded (lessened) by what Gretta reveals to him of Michael Furey. Gabriel misread the connotation of her comment, and interprets that Greta is in a state of desire for him, but Gretta is thinking about Michael Furey, her former lover. Gretta’s comment can be regarded as an expression of making fun of Gabriel’s pretensions. Gabriel is extremely self-conscious to the extent that his awareness of other individuals is obscured, and his interaction with the subjects is impeded. The word generous, in this case, applies only ironically to Gabriel given that Gretta does not know Gabriel’s motive; indeed, Gabriel’s actions are merely a strategy to attract her. Gabriel’s actions do not reflect true generosity of his humble acceptance of Gretta’s past and of his role within her life. Gabriel does not appear to strive to be a good husband given that expressing passionate love is simply not a possibility for him; however, this is not occasioned by lack of quality of capacity on his part.
In James Joyce’s short story titled, “The Dead,” the protagonist in the story is compelled to explore his own being-in-the world by partially receding from society. In the short story, Gabriel is portrayed as seemingly happily married professor; nevertheless, throughout the story, his true identity is hidden, and the author never reveals the true nature of his character. Hence, it would be an overstatement to consider Gabriel a “very generous person.” Several external factors such as humiliations and assaults progressively destroy the walls of Gabriel’s circle of his own egotism. Towards the end, Gabriel has to reevaluate his existence, but he is powerless to connect with his heritage and culture and his loved ones.