Notes of the 19^th of March 2012

Oral test- The dead by James Joyce

Michael fury is a very important name: the surname, Fury, refers to fury and passion.

-        The Epiphany

The Epiphany happens when Gabriel and Gretta are at the party: she activates the memory to the past listening to the song and Gabriel understands that his wife is moved and that he will never be “furious” like Michael. The Epiphany is a manifestation of the light; the whole short story is about Epiphany: also the day chosen for setting the story is the Epiphany day (the 6^th January).

-        The narration

The narration is in third person. He adopts the point of view of the protagonist, Gabriel. There is also the presence of the omniscient narrator and the employment of an interior monologue. Joyce wants the reader to understand there is something beyond throughout symbolic realism.

-        Gabriel

Gabriel is invited to hold a speech during the party because he’s an intellectual. He is overprotected with his wife. The narrator wants to ridicule Gabriel telling the reader about his galoshes. During his speech he realizes he had made a mistake asking that question to the girl at the beginning. The intelligent reader understands Gabriel’s Epiphany.

-        The ritual

The ritual is very important in the 20^th century. In The dead: every year people organize parties and a person like Gabriel makes a talk; Gabriel keeps going on believing his wife is still thinking to Michael. The dead are people who lived with rituals and habits.  

-        The sense of the story

The sense of the story is universal: human beings are fail and afraid. Gabriel, at the end, realizes his identity, discovers his weakness throughout another person.  

-        Gretta

The main point of view on Gretta is Gabriel, the reader makes his idea of Gretta throughout Gabriel’s and other people’s thought about her.  So Gretta is seen from different external point of view. He loves her much than she loves him, and he’s not sure about her love for him. 

-        Gabriel and Joyce  

Joyce’s quest is lead also through the work of art.