The Dead

“The Dead” is the longest story in Dubliners. It is the last story in the book and by far the most important. Nearly all the chief characteristics central to Dubliners are linked together at the cheerful party at the Misses Morkans' celebrating the feast of the epiphany and later at Gabriel's moment of crisis. The encounter between generations, which is the subject of Gabriel's speech; the moment of the tragic epiphany and Gabriel's shame when learning of his wife's doomed love with Michael Furey are all introduced at this holiday party. The themes of the political instability of Ireland, raised by Miss Ivors when she calls Gabriel a West Briton, drunkenness, in the character of Freddy Malins and the power of music are concerns raised time and again throughout Dubliners. But the focus of this story, like all of the Dubliners is a tragic epiphany, in his case brought on by a dinner party. In The Dead it is Gabriel's epiphany of resignation and helplessness.

There is heavy religious symbolism found in the names of three individuals. The first word of the novella is "Lily". A lily serves as the symbol of death and rebirth at funerals and is used in the Easter service that celebrates the Resurrection. The Hebrew meaning of the name Gabriel is "Man of God," and in the bible Gabriel is one of the seven Archangels. In Christian tradition Gabriel is responsible for the ministration of comfort and sympathy to man. In the New Testament he appears to announce the birth and mission of John the Baptist. This is a sharp contrast to the Gabriel Conrad we see at the holiday party who can be cruel to Gretta ("you go if you want"), self-indulgent when finding a way to deal with her in his speech and internally dismissive of his aunts ("only two ignorant old women"). But the extent of his weakness is exhibited when dealing with Michael Furey.

Michael is the archangel recognized for heralding the Day of Judgment and is known as the angel of death. Michael Furey is responsible for Gabriel' Conroy's day of judgment when Gabriel's wife, Gretta, tells the story of their failed