Natasha Nayo
Lit.411 Yeats, Joyce and Woolf
Presentation Review 2:
Gabriel’s Alienation in “The Dead” by James Joyce

Talking about James Joyce throughout this class and papers, it was only fitting to conclude by discussing about his last chapter in Dubliners (1914) ‘The Dead’. As the final installment [and the longest story in the collection] it had enough pages to describe the events that portrayed life in Dublin; at its peak of political revolution and colonization. The deceased and people described in this chapter hints the historical events of Joyce’s time.
‘The Dead’ takes place at a grand feast organized by the owners of the house, Aunt Julia and Kate Morkan and their talented niece, Mary Jane. In a cold January to celebrate the feast of Epiphany [which celebrates the manifestation of Christ’s divinity to the Magi] every relative and friend arrived to the party, including the most anticipated favorite nephew, Gabriel Conroy and his wife Gretta, whom will be the main focus of the story.
“Of course, they had good reason to be fussy on such a night. And then it was long after ten o'clock and yet there was no sign of Gabriel and his wife. Besides they were dreadfully afraid that Freddy Malins might turn up screwed. They would not wish for worlds that any of Mary Jane's pupils should see him under the influence; and when he was like that it was sometimes very hard to manage him. Freddy Malins always came late, but they wondered what could be keeping Gabriel: and that was what brought them every two minutes to the banisters to ask Lily had Gabriel or Freddy come.
--O, Mr Conroy, said Lily to Gabriel when she opened the door for him, Miss Kate and Miss Julia thought you were never coming. Good night, Mrs Conroy.
--I'll engage they did, said Gabriel, but they forget that my wife here takes three mortal hours to dress herself.
He stood on the mat, scraping