The Dead is the last short story taken from Dubliner's collection by James Joyce.

Right from the title the intelligent reader can understand that the story narrates something about death. The story can be divided into three sequences: the first sequence is set during a party organized by Julia and Kate that are Gabriel's aunts. The story is narrated from Gabriel's point of view so the reader can understand that he is the main character. The aim of this sequence is to introduce the characters, the set, the time and the relationship between the characters. James Joyes introduces the term paralysis that is the moral and physic inability of Irish people to act. In The Dead this term is shown when the narrator speaks about the repetitiveness of the annual party and the meeting of the same people. As a result the intelligent reader associates the image of the Irish’s paralysis to the title because people seem to be dead.

Gabriel's wife is another important character, her name is Gretta. She is an independent woman who doesn't obey her husband. During the party another character is presented: Mrs. Ivors who introduces some important aspects of Irish culture. Freddie Malins is another character who shows an important aspect of Irish culture: alcoholism. The last part of this sequence shows a hidden aspect: a religious significance. Gabriel is called to make a speech to his family, which reminds a priest making a sermon to his believers.

At the end of the party Gabriel realizes his epiphany in which a person realizes himself. This moment happens when he sees his wife while crying after having listened to a song which reminds her of her first love.

The second sequence starts when Gabriel and Gretta are moving to the hotel. During this trip Gabriel thinks about the reason why her wife was crying. In the last sequence Gretta explained him that the song heard at the party reminds her of her first love, Michael Fury who she forsake under the rain at the station. After Gretta's revelation Gabriel realizes that he will never love his wife as much as Michael Fury. In conclusion the reader can understand that Gabriel doesn't love Gretta because he never felt anything as much as Michael Fury felt for her.