Navigate

Enhanced eText

This eText contains embedded glossary and reader's notes. Whenever you see a word or words underlined in red, like this, move your mouse arrow over the word for the glossary or note entry.

Notes

What is a literary classic and why are these classic works important to the world?

A literary classic is a work of the highest excellence that has something important to say about life and/or the human condition and says it with great artistry. A classic, through its enduring presence, has withstood the test of time and is not bound by time, place, or customs. It speaks to us today as forcefully as it spoke to people one hundred or more years ago, and as forcefully as it will speak to people of future generations. For this reason, a classic is said to have universality.

Christopher Marlowe was born in Canterbury, England, on February 6, 1564, the son of a shoemaker. He was educated at King's College and Corpus Christi College and received a Master's degree in 1587. This award was not based solely on scholarship, however, and Marlowe's life of political machinations and possible spying for the English government began around the same time that he received it. Queen Elizabeth's Privy Council awarded the degree, stating that “he had done Her Majesty good service, & deserved to be rewarded for his faithful dealing in matters touching the benefit of the country.” Much of what Marlowe did politically in his life remains unknown, another fact that leads many to conclude that he played a part in secretive government activities.

He became friendly with both Sir Phillip Sidney and Sir Walter Raleigh. Influenced by them and determined to become one of the English literati, Marlowe wrote his first play, Tamburlaine the Great, which was performed as early as 1587, but not published until 1590. The play is one of the first ever written in blank verse, and it elevated that poetic form to high art. He continued his writing career, producing such masterpieces as The Jew of Malta (1589-1590), Edward II (1593) and The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus (1604).

However, just two years after the publication of Tamburlaine the Great, Marlowe was imprisoned for participating in a fatal swordfight that took the life of an innkeeper's son; Marlowe spent just two weeks in jail, and was found not guilty of murder.

The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, Marlowe's masterpiece, was first performed in 1588, but did not appear in the official records until later. Within this same time period, Marlowe was arrested for counterfeiting, but was released with no reason given, which lends additional credence to the spying-for-the-Crown theory. Some scholars speculate that Marlowe was also working as a double agent, which would have made his already risky life extremely dangerous.

In 1592, the Queen's Privy Council closed the theaters because of their portrayals of “heretical” themes, and around the same time, a Pamphleteer named Robert Greene accused Marlowe of heresy and atheism. According to Greene, Marlowe drew attention to inconsistencies in the Bible, a charge that placed him in very grave danger. Thomas Kyd, a playwright and former roommate of Marlowe's, was also arrested on the charge of atheism, and, under torture, implicated Marlowe, who was not immediately arrested. The Privy Council continued to gather information on him, however, especially after he gave some lectures on the subject of atheism.

Richard Baines, the other person involved in the earlier counterfeiting scheme, wrote a document titled, “Note Containing the opinion of one Christopher Marly Concerning his Damnable Judgement of Religion, and scorn of God's Word.” This paper was intended to disgrace Marlowe and cause his imprisonment, but the authorities again failed to arrest him.

Marlowe would be dead within three days, however, giving rise to the belief that his death was a deliberate murder by the British government. He was involved in a barroom brawl on May 30, 1593, and stabbed in the eye, a wound that killed him. The men at his table were known to be, at least superficially, affiliated with the government, and Queen Elizabeth pardoned the man who actually stabbed him, Ingram Frizer, about two weeks after Marlowe's death.

Christopher Marlowe is one of the English language's long-overlooked and under-appreciated playwrights, Had it not been for Shakespeare's genius, Marlowe would probably have been considered the greatest Elizabethan playwright.

Miss Kate and Miss Julia – Kate and Julia Morkan are influential women in Dublin's musical community, who throw a Christmas party every year.
Adam and Eve's – the nickname for Dublin's Church of the Immaculate Conception
back answers – back-talk; disrespect
Gabriel – Gabriel is Kate and Julia's nephew, who is also a professor.
“A light fringe…on the shoulders…” – In “The Dead,” Joyce employs two other symbols for the paralysis motif: snow and ice. The description of Gabriel as he comes in from the cold foreshadows Gabriel's role as the protagonist of this story and hints that he is somehow paralyzed.
palaver – flattery
muffler – a type of scarf
scintillated – flashed, sparkled
gilt – golden
deprecation – disapproval
Robert Browning – (1812 – 1889), a well-known English poet
flaccid – hanging in loose folds or wrinkles
vivacious – full of life, lively
mirthless – not amused
Guttapercha – [Gutta-percha] a rubber-like substance (laytex) that is obtained from various Asian evergreen trees
Christy Minstrels – [Christy's Minstrels] a theatrical group formed in 1843; they performed three-act shows, and the characters were usually stereotypical, derogatory representations of African Americans and were performed by European actors. This character type became known as blackface.
Gresham – a fancy hotel in Dublin
wizen – shriveled
viands – food
hop-bitters – most likely, a type of beer
“…I'm like the famous…I want it.” – This is probably a punch-line to a well-known joke during the time.
“Quadrilles!” – types of square dances that originated in France
convex – rounded
tumid – swollen
imprecation – cursing
“two murdered princes in the Tower” – a reference to King Edward IV's sons; they were supposedly murdered by their uncle, who eventually became King Richard III; this story was recreated by Shakespeare in Richard III.
tabinet – [tabbinet] a type of fabric
man-o-war suit – a popular type of suit worn with trousers and a wide-brimmed straw sailor hat
rankled – festered
Lancers – a type of quadrille (see note: “Quadrilles!” above)
West Briton – a derogatory name for an Irishman or woman who sympathizes with England
paltry – wretched
the University question – Because Ireland's primary university, Trinity College, was Protestant-based, and the majority of the Irish population was Catholic, Irish citizens often questioned their place in higher education.
go visiting – the part of the dance during which the couples change partners and perform a particular step
embrasure – an opening for a door or a window
the park – Phoenix Park (see note: the Park gate in “A Painful Case” Glossary above)
Wellington Monument – a monument that stands 175 feet high, located in Phoenix Park; the Duke of Wellington began building it in 1871, and it was finally completed in 1892.
the Three Graces – In Greek mythology, there were three sisters (Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia), who were goddesses of pleasure, charm, beauty, nature, creativity, happiness, and fertility.
Paris – In Greek mythology, Paris was the son of Priam. Paris gave Aphrodite a golden apple, which signified that she was the most beautiful goddess, and, in turn, she awarded him Helen, which was the start of the Trojan War. Golden apples are also mentioned in “A Little Cloud,” but in a different context.
Arrayed for the Bridal – a song from an opera called I Puritani
acquiescence – passive agreement
emphatically – positively; definitely
refractory – stubborn
“…it's not at all…over their heads.” – Pope Pius X did not allow women to sing with the choir.
“of the other persuasion” – Protestant
“To take a pick itself” – “to have something to eat”; “to have a bite to eat”
“Beannacht libh” – [Irish] “Goodbye”
minsters – probably referring to containers that are arranged in the form of a monastery
blancmange – a sweet jelly-like dessert
sentries – guards, watches
squads – small armies
minerals – mineral water
draught – [draft] beer
the Gaiety pantomime – The Gaiety was a Dublin theater, and pantomime is a technique during which the actors use gestures and actions while the chorus narrates with song.
Mignon – an 1866 opera based on Johan Wolfgang Goethe's Wilhelm Meister's Lehrjahre
Georgina Burns – a well-known soprano during the 19th century
“Tietjens…Aramburo.” – various opera singers in the 19th century
Let me like a Soldier Fall – a piece from the opera Maritana; Joyce's choice to include this in Dubliners is most likely connected with his desire to have the sheet music for this specific song visibly in his pocket when a picture of him was taken for a literary magazine.
unyoke – removed, released
prima donna – the main female singer in an opera
“…pull her…to her hotel.” – This passage is a reference to a famous incident that took place in Dublin in 1868. After one of Therese Tietjens' (1831 – 1877) performances, people tied ropes to her carriage and proceeded to pull her through the streets of Dublin until they reached her hotel because they were so impressed with her performance. Once they arrived, the fans did not leave, even after Tietjens went inside; they finally agreed to leave, but only if Tietjens sang an encore.
Dinorah – a French opera
Lucrezia Borgia – an Italian opera
Caruso – Enrico Caruso (1874 – 1921), a famous tenor
Parkinson – There is no notable opera singer with this name; therefore, Aunt Kate may have confused the name or is thinking of someone else.
Mount Melleray – a Cistercian Abbey; the Abbey of St. Bernard de Trappe, which was used as a rehabilitation center for alcoholics.
incredulously – skeptically
“in our Church” – Remember, Mr. Browne is Protestant.
“slept in their coffins” – A myth about Trappist monks was that they slept in coffins; however, this is incorrect, but was probably believed because of the strict lifestyle the Trappist monks lived.
their last end – a reference to Numberes 23:10 in the Bible; “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” The “last end” refers to death.
lugubrious – very sad, mournful
“…a gleaming…westward…” – This statement, similar to one made earlier in the story, subtly shows Gabriel's desire to leave, not just the party, but Ireland. Earlier, Gabriel is chastised for wanting to see other parts of the world, rather than his own country. This lends itself to the idea that the country of Ireland is a paralyzing force. The loyalty and patriotism the Irish feel makes it difficult to think about or travel to other countries.
Fifteen Acres – an area of Phoenix Park (see note: the park above)
actuated – motivated, driven
the Three Graces – see note: the Three Graces above
invidious – envious; damaging, scandalous
“He has…like the gas…” – Aunt Kate is saying that Mr. Browne is readily available, like gas, which was abundant throughout Dublin at that time.
astrakhan – a type of fabric made to resemble lambs' fur
journey home – The mention of a journey indicates a quest that Gabriel will be embarking on.
trap – a type of two-wheeled carriage
“mansion of his forefathers” – a biblical allusion to John 14:2, in which Jesus states, “In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
King Billy's statue – a statue of King William III (1650 – 1702) riding a horse; King William III defeated the Irish in 1690, and his statue was erected in 1701 across from Trinity College and the Parliament. The statue was not well liked by the Dubliners and was always ridiculed, especially considering how King William III died after contracting pneumonia, which was a complication from the collarbone he broke after falling from his horse.
“He asked himself…in that attitude.” – This description of Gabriel's thoughts of his wife shows, according to many critics, that Gabriel views Gretta as an object, rather than a person, which is why he had difficulty articulating his interpretation of her attitude. Instead, the only way he can express her attitude is by turning her into a painting, another inanimate object.
old Irish tonality – Early Irish music consisted of a five-tone scale.
plaintive – sorrowful, mournful
cadence – a balance
“O, the rain…lies cold…” – a song from western Ireland called “The Lass of Aughrim”
swathing – wrapping
brooded – hovered
parapets – a wall used to protect the edge of a roof, bridge, or platform
the Four Courts – Ireland's central courts
heliotrope – reddish-purple in color
“He was standing…fire hot, sir?” – This is an obvious question, but the scene is important for the remainder of the story. Before they reach the platform, Gabriel was fantasizing about Gretta, remembering their times alone together, which is almost immediately juxtaposed with the image of Gretta being close with another man. In this scene, the fire, as in many pieces of Victorian literature, is a symbol of passion and desire.
“make her forget…together…” – This statement suggests that Gabriel and Gretta's marriage has, for some time, grown stale and suffers from some type of emotional paralysis.
the statue – a statue of Daniel O'Connell (1775 – 1847), a strong political leader nicknamed “the Liberator,” who founded the Catholic Assocation (1823)
“…he felt that…new adventure.” – This image evokes the idea of a journey from life and daily existence, which may foreshadow yet another juxtaposition with paralysis.
girt – secured
“He could have flung…body in check.” – These lustful impulses seem to be a direct result of the emptiness Gabriel feels from his marriage currently. The lust he feels has been stirred up by memories and emotions connected to past years—Gabriel longs to feel that way again.
toilet-table – a type of dresser
diffidence – insecurity, lacking in confidence
sovereign – a British gold coin
ardour – passion
sottish – drunk
impetuous – impulsive, passionate
stockstill – completely motionless
cheval-glass – a full-length mirror
“It was a person…Galway…” – Remember earlier in the evening when Miss Ivors spoke with Gabriel about traveling to the west of Ireland, Gretta admitted that she would “love to see Galway again.”
gasworks – a factory where heating and lighting is prepared
evocation – a re-creation
pennyboy – someone who runs errands
vulgarians – rude people, barbarians (referring to their education)
pitiable – pathetic
fatuous – foolish
“great with him” – “very close to him” (not meant in a sexual sense)
“I think he died for me…” – This statement shows that Gretta has been unable to fully move on from the past. Her illogical guilt over Michael's death (given that he was ill and obviously did not die for her) and her love for him that never died has paralyzed or prevented her from fully loving another.
impalpable – invisible
Oughterard – a village north of Galway
Nuns' Island – an area in Galway, which is not really an island
implored – begged
irresolutely – hesitantly
obliquely – indirectly
“The time had come…westward.” – Gabriel is sacrificing his desires and dreams for his wife. He truly loves her, and he wants to help her deal with the death of her old beau. This is a very significant epiphany for Gabriel. He once loved his wife innocently and purely, but with this new information, his love for her has changed—it has lost its innocence. Now, and for the rest of their marriage, he will always have knowledge that she does not love him as fully as she could. Heading westward emphasizes the paralysis motif, in addition to the theme of unfinished journeys. In a way, Gabriel's marriage can be seen as a journey that will never be completed because Gretta can never fully love him.
Bog of Allen – an area consisting of several bogs; it is a major fuel source of areas of Ireland
Shannon – a river in west-central Ireland that leads to the Atlantic