One way to look at the conflict between Miss Ivors and Gabriel is to put in context of Ireland and its quest for independence from England. Remember, Dubliners was published in 1914, a few years before Ireland would fight its War of Independence against Britain.

What is Miss Ivors wearing? She has on a large brooch with an "an Irish device and motto." We might say Miss Ivors represents Ireland. She's a strong supporter of the Irish nation.

As for Gabriel, where do his feelings lie? Does Gabriel seem tied to Ireland? Who does he quote in his speech? Is it an Irish poet? No. It's the English poet Robert Browning. More so, while Miss Ivors plans a trip in Ireland, Gabriel and his wife are planning a trip "to France or Belgium or perhaps Germany."

To sum up, we might see the clash between Gabriel and Miss Ivors as a clash between Ireland and England or Europe in general.

Yet Miss Ivors admits that she was "only joking" when she called him "West Briton." Perhaps their clash could represent something else. Maybe their tension could be another example of Gabriel's tension with women. There's tension with Lily, there's tension with his wife, and there's even tension with his deceased mother. We might say Miss Ivors is another manifestation of Gabriel's uneasy relationships with women.

We could also argue that the spat with Miss Ivors is a manifestation of Gabriel's own insecurity. He seems rather unsure of himself. By calling attention to his "West Briton" ways, Miss Ivors plays into that insecurity. When he looks in the mirror, his expression makes him feel "puzzled." A person who is "puzzled" by themselves probably doesn't need to be teased the way that Miss Ivors teases Gabriel.