"The dead Analysis"

"The dead"  is the last and the most famous story taken from "Dubliners" by J. Joice.

Right from the title "The dead"  the reader wonders what it could be mean. The story could tell about a story of death.  But an intelligent reader understands that it could symbolized something else, or something that reminds of a paralysis.

In addition, the story is narrated from the main character's point of view, Gabriel Conroy, a very cultured man. 
Also, in order to better understand the story you can divided it into three sequences.

First of all, the first sequence deals with the introduction of the annual party, in which the other characters are invited by Julia and Kate, Gabriel's aunts. Indeed, an intelligent reader can understand that the function of this chapter is to introduce the characters, the setting in which they move, and find some information about Ireland. The party is annual, so it is celebrated every year. People do the same thing as if it was  a "ritual". So, you also can find a connection to the fact that Irish are completely paralyzed. Furthermore, Gabriel  arrives to the party accompanied by his wife,Gretta. The writer decided to introduce her not according to her physical aspects but she is characterized by her social conditions. She is strong and
she does not obey to her husband. Another important character is Lucy, the servant, but the main moment is when Gabriel meets Mrs. Ivors, a nationalist woman, because the reader is able to understand important elements of Irish culture. After that,
there was the dinner when all the family is united and it makes the reader able to comprehend an hidden significant of it. Indeed, Gabriel makes a very important speech for his aunts to make them understand how much he loves them.

In the second sequence  there is the main moment of the whole story when Gabriel sees Gretta while she is crying, even if he does not know the reason of her tears. During the trip, they take to arrive in their hotel Gabriel is invaded by a lot of doubts and
his passion for her wife is growing.

The last sequence makes the reader able to understand the reason why Gretta was crying.  She tells to Gabriel that when she was young a man falls in love with her. One day, while it was raining, he comes to her to meet her even if he was ill. But he dead and now Gretta does not believe no longer in love.

In conclusion, Gabriel understand that he can never love her as the man, who dead, loved Gretta. The reader understands that Gabriel is a failed man.