“The Dead” is a short story written by a prominent Irish poet and novelist James Joyce and included in his 914 collection Dubliners. In this work, the narration is focused on the Misses Morkan’s annual dance where their nephew, Gabriel Conroy, arrives with his wife. Although there are several essential themes covered in “The Dead,” the most significant ones center on changes, including the confrontation between traditions and modernity, refusal to chance, and the necessity to accept new events and ideas in order to move towards a better future. The purpose of this paper is to identify literary techniques used by the author in order to develop the story’s themes and underline their importance.
In general, the main device used by Joyce in this story to enhance the difference between generations, between old traditions and new viewpoints, and between things that should be left in the past and things that should be adopted is juxtaposition. In other words, the author contrast events, ideas, and people – in particular, the contrast between new and old lies within the framework of death and life. Gabriel Conroy tends to be traditional in his approaches to marriage, family, lifestyle, and the country. He believes that a young lady should want to be engaged and marry after finishing school. He is associated himself with Europeans trying to protect his position and underlining that Ireland is genuinely valued by respect and memory of its ancestors and traditions, such as “warm-hearted courteous Irish hospitality” (Joyce). However, he is opposed by the modern attitude of women towards men and marriage, the Irish nationalism of young people, and the discovery of the absence of total awareness of his wife’s life.
In general, there are multiple juxtaposition in “The Dead” that represent the life of Ireland that remains paralyzed and the necessity of changes and their acceptance by people. Thus, snow, “general all over Ireland,” the aunts’ annual events, the same responsibilities of every family member, and grey color prevalent in Aunt Julia’s appearance refer to death and mortality (Joyce). At the same time, the warmth and light of the aunts’ house, the presence of young people with innovative points of view, brown color, smiles, and changed melodies emphasize the presence of new life and hope.
At the same time, these images may also be perceived as symbols as symbolism is another literary technique used by the author. One of the most peculiar symbol used by Joyce in order to emphasize the contrast between life and death is the name of the caretaker’s daughter, Lily. In Christianity, lilies are regarded as the symbol of rebirth and purity – “in religious iconography, they often represent the Virgin Mary, and are also often depicted at the Resurrection of Christ” (Dibdin). However, at the same time, lilies represent mourning and grief being the most popular funeral flowers. In “The Dead,” through her name and attitude to various aspects of life, Lily symbolize the move from traditional viewpoints that may be dying to new approaches.
Another bright symbol of “The Dead” is Johnny, the grandfather’s horse. Gabriel retells the story of the Morkan’s grandfather and Johnny who “came in sight of King Billy’s statue: and whether he fell in love with the horse King Billy sits on or whether he thought he was back again in the mill, anyhow he began to walk round the statue” (Joyce). On the one hand, it is a funny story about a horse who went round and round the statue for unknown reasons. However, at the same time, King Billy’s statue is he statue of King William III who was William of Orange, the national leader of the Dutch United Provinces (Battle of the Boyne). In 1690, he defeated the army of the Catholic King James II in the Battle of Boyne, the largest engagement on Irish soil (Battle of the Boyne). This, in this case, the horse symbolizes Ireland that “walk round” its past guided by European influence and it symbolizes the country’s paralysis and its people’s inability to accept changes.
To conclude, “The Dead” may be regarded as an outstanding short story. Its main themes include the mortality, death of traditions and old viewpoints, and the country’s paralysis that are opposed to new ideas, new approaches, and development. In addition, using the example of one particular person, Gabriel Conroy, the author demonstrates the necessity of openness to new ideas, events, and facts, especially when seemingly well-known and well-established things may turn to be completely and surprisingly new. For the development of identified themes, Joyce uses literary techniques, including juxtaposition and symbolism to contrast new and old and underlines the differences between the death of the past and the perspectives of the future and related necessity to accept inevitable changes. In it unclear whether Conroy is successful in the reconsideration of his values and beliefs, however, the events described in “The Dead” may be regarded as a successful start for his inner reflections and better understanding of the world and people around him.
Works Cited
“Battle of the Boyne.” National Army Museum, Web.
Dibdin, Emma. “The Poignant Symbolism of the Lily Flower.” Town & Country. Web.
Joyce, James. The Dead. Dubliners, 1914. The Literature Network. Web.