The Dead | The Dead

At a glance:

Author: James Joyce
First Published: 1914
Type of Plot: Naturalistic
Time of Work: 1904
Setting: Dublin, Ireland
Principal Characters: Gabriel Conroy, Gretta Conroy, Kate Morkan, Julia Morkan, Mary Jane, Molly Ivors, Lily, Freddy Malins, Mr. Browne, Mrs. Malins, Bartell D’Arcy, Michael Furey
Genres: Short fiction, Naturalistic literature
Subjects: Teaching or teachers, Twentieth century, Authors or writers, Marriage, Alienation, Emotions, Reality, Ireland or Irish people
Locales: Dublin, Ireland

This story begins one way and ends another. The shifting nature of the story is balanced by the shifting perception of the protagonist, Gabriel Conroy, a teacher who wants to be considered a writer, though his writing seems to be confined to journalism. The opening exposition suggests that the story mainly will concern a social event, “the Misses Morkan's annual dance,” held during the Christmas season, at which the Morkans’ favorite nephew, Gabriel, and his wife, Gretta, are significant guests because Gabriel serves as master of ceremonies. The impact of the...

The Dead | The Dead

At a glance:

The Story

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