James Joyce's The Dead

Upon first review, the casual reader would get the impression that James Joyce's "The Dead" is primarily a story about the goings on at a Christmas party and the complicated personalities of the guests who attend that party. Taking a closer look, however, one realizes that the story is one of a conversion for the protagonist, Gabriel Conroy, not only in terms of his outlook but also in terms of his expressions toward his wife. In this paper, various facets of the inner workings of the story will be presented, along with quotes from the story, in order to ultimately better understand the foundations of this immortal work.

The Tone of Gabriel Conroy Toward His Wife

Gabriel Conroy, throughout the majority of the story, takes on a harsh and impatient tone with his wife, indicating a sheer lack of patience for her as well as an absences of respect for her as a woman, as well as the woman whom he married and pledged to love forever. This impatience can be blamed on several factors-perhaps the excitement of the party, the rushed nature of the scene, or even an over indulgence in wine. More likely, however, Conroy's attitude and actions comes from his self absorbtion and selfishness. Because of his inability to see beyond his own needs, wants and emortions, he cannot accommodate his wife in an emotional sense, nor can he even be civil to her most of the time. Conroy's behavior sets the stage for the plot of the story.

Conroy's attitude and feelings are also better seen when reviewing key quotes of Conroy directly to his wife.
Memorable Quotes of Conroy to His Wife

A review of Conroy's agitated discourse with his wife, starting in the beginning of "The Dead" and continuing through almost all of the rest of the story, shows that he clearly has a great deal of disdain for her and feels her to be inferior to him in intellect and importance. To make this point, several quotes from the story are presented and explained as follows:

"But as for Gretta there," said Gabriel, "she'd walk home in the snow if she were let."(Joyce, 1999).

The context of this remark was the beginning of the story when Conroy was discussing how he and Gretta had rented a room for the night in order to avoid having to travel home from the party in the dark and cold of night; in typical Conroy fashion, he gives himself credit for having the common sense to rent a room, and simultaneously making the claim that his wife would not have the wits to stay inside and out of the snow without the help of someone else, namely her husband.

His wife clasped her hands excitedly and gave a little jump. "O, do go, Gabriel," she cried. "I'd love to see Galway again." "You can go if you like," said Gabriel coldly.(Joyce, 1999).

In perhaps one of the most cruel comments Conroy makes toward his wife, she expresses interest in the two of them taking a vacation trip together; however, having other plans in mind, the cruel Conroy shows no interest in taking a vacation with his wife, but does show an interest in her going away from him for an extended period of time.

What these quotes clearly show is that Gabriel Conroy is a man who likes no one but himself, and treats his wife in a most unfair, and abusive way.
Ultimately, Does Conroy's Tone Toward His Wife Change?

In a nod of careful fairness to Gabriel Conroy, his tone toward his wife ultimately does change; however, tragically enough, his tone toward her changes when she is no longer able to hear it due to the fact that she has died; this death, Joyce suggests was a death that Gretta willed to happen in an effort to escape the abuse of her husband.

The change of Conroy's tone, ironically, is ultimately a case of too little, too late. The value of this irony should not be lost on the reader, either. Rather, the reader should heed this ironic message and remember to love and cherish those close to them, as no one knows when that loved one could be gone forever, and regret is along time in fading, even for a man as cold as Gabriel Conroy.

Was Conroy Aware of His tone?

While Conroy became aware of his tone when it was too late to truly do anything about it, it is unlikely that he was aware of it at the time that he was using it so fluently. Reflecting back to an earlier assertion, Conroy was likely blinded by his self centeredness and disregard for his wife to be able to clearly realize what he was doing while it was happening.

Conclusion

This study of Joyce's "The Dead" has shed light on some valuable lessons in terms of love lost and amends made as too little and too late. In closing, let it be understood by the reader that Joyce's work stands as the ultimate mortality tale and a cautionary one for those who take the most valuable things in the world for granted because of their own greed and selfishness.

References

Joyce, J. (1999). Dead and Other Works (10th ed.). New York: Penguin Books.