James Joyce The Dead Character Analysis Essay

Possibly one of the most fragile traits of a man is his ego. In James Joyce, The Dead, Gabriel is a controlling and sometimes insecure man with a superiority complex, which inevitably leads to a number of failed encounters and ultimately a passionless relationship with his wife, Gretta. Through the construction of narrative, Joyce illustrates Gabriel’s character and how it leads to the emotionally distant nature of their relationship.
Gabriel is presented in the narrative as being a man whom his aunts perceive as being dominant, distinguished, and in charge. This elevates his sense of self; therefore anyone who challenges him is directly attacking his masculinity. Two events cause Gabriel much anxiety by first dwelling over his unsuccessful interaction with Lily and then carrying anger over Miss Ivors’ persistent questioning. Both of these exchanges

This is a more reliable form of narration because it is able to convey direct and indirect thought seamlessly throughout the text. We have insight into Gabriels thoughts where he is often the focalizer. By having this point of view the reader has the ability to compare Gretta and Gabriel’s relationship from the outside and inside. Narrative voice and narratorial distance contribute to the reader’s understanding of their relationship by demonstrating Gabriel’s self-obsessed personality and how he lives in his own mind so much that he neglects his wife both emotionally and physically. We do not gain direct insight to Gretta’s feelings in the relationship from her but they are made clear through her actions and behavior. She disregards his unstable moods frequently by either laughing his rude remarks off or checking up on him throughout the evening. Her distance and disregard for Gabriel in the cab ride to the hotel and upon admittance of her old lover clearly shows that he was the only man who ever loved her so much that he even died for