James Joyce The Dead - Assignment Example

Due The Dead by James Joyce Characterize the following, including physical and emotional attributes. a) Gabriel beingthe protagonist in the story is depicted as an educated teacher from the university besides being a writer “..they were friends of many years’ standing and their career had been parallel, first at the University and then as teachers..” (pg 22). He cares about other peoples’ feelings; “Gretta dear what are you thinking about?”(pg62). He also brings about theme development in the story.

For example, he falls in love with Gretta.b) Gretta Conroy is mournful and sad; “ Gretta dear what are you thinking about?” (pg62), Gabriel asked her but she did not answered him. It is clear in the party where she kept distance when a special song was being sung hence despairs telling Gabriel about her love life.c) Lily is objective besides being obedient and beautiful. Gabriel describes her as; “She was slim, growing girl, pale in complexition and with hay coloured hair…” (pg7). d) Molly Ivors is patriotic and norm observer in the community of the Irish she is obedient to people around her.

She is also frank. Gabriel says, “ She was a frank-manared, talkative young lady with a freckled face and prominent brown eyes…” (pg20) She gets out of the party not to violate the norm.e) Freddy Malins from the story is depicted as being drunkard and disobedient to others in the community.f) Mr. Browne is a drunkard and likes flirting with women a lot: ‘Mr Browne took another sip of his whisky and said, with sidling mimicry…’ (pg 14). He is also depicted as being protestant and believes in God even though the Catholic Church is criticized, he does not take part in any of the critique.2. What is the role the Morkin sisters and their niece played in Dublin?

In other words, what is their social status? Their "occupations"? Their role in the community? The role of these sisters is to bring out the theme of religion. This is because religious life would enable the people of Irish think critically of their lives after death apart from their present life they were living. “Everybody who knew them came to it, members of the family, old friends….for many years and years it had gone off in splendid style…” (pg 4) In the community, the Morkin sisters were viewed as the role model to the growing women and young women who are emotionally disturbed because of love.3. "The Dead" has several explicit and veiled references to England; note at least three of these references.

Death, History and Religion for example when Mr. Browne wished; “I wish we had an institution like that in our Church” (pg39)4. The short story also has many references to Irish nationalism, including those alluding to the west; note three of these references. Music, Religion teachings and authority. “…the monks never spoke, got up at two in the morning and slept in their coffins…it was a rule that was all” (pg39).5. Is Gabriels speech a success? Explain your answer. Gabriel’s speech made her wife move out since she was touched by her husband’s words and hence wanted to reveal her true life to him.

“She raised her hand from her arms and dried her eyes with the back of her hand like a child…” (pg63). She did not believe that Gabriel loves her even though they were living as one family.6. Describe how Gabriel felt on the way to the hotel: what is his mood? What is his desire? Gabrielfelt he was far away from his friends and duties he had to perform af a man. “As they stood at the hotel door, he felt that they had escaped from their lives and duties…” (pg59). 7. When they arrive at the hotel, Gabriel and Gretta are in different mindsets; what has caused Grettas focus on the past?

At the hotel when Gabriel rented the room, Gretta thought he wanted to have some romance with her, “he and she wer in their room in the hotel then they would be alone together…” (pg57) which she had not prepared for since she did not love Gabriel.8. In two to three sentences, explain in your opinion the meaning of the very last paragraph of the story. The last paragraph of the story depicts how life after death seems to the people of Ireland. Gabriel thinks aloud about the lonely part of this life after his the death of his wife.9. Note two ways in which this story is reflective of modernism; being specific and provide examples.

The story reveals the modern situation of human beings since it shows how reluctant people are when it comes to praying, love and betrayal. The author did not write the story immediately but after returning to Trieste in 1907 only to interlude it to Rome a year after witnessing the reali life and death. In life, a husband may be living with his wife not out of love but because he does not want a critique from his peers. Example is the situation of Gabriel and his wife, he loved his wife but it is unfortunate that the wife feels nothing for him even though they were living under the same house.

Work citedJoyce, James. Dubliners. New York: Modern library, 1926. Print.