The Dead (Joyce short story) facts for kids

"The Dead" is a famous short story by James Joyce, an Irish writer. It was published in 1914 as the last and longest story in his collection called Dubliners. This story is almost like a short novel because it's so long. It explores important ideas like love, loss, and what it means to be Irish.

Many people have praised "The Dead." The famous writer T. S. Eliot reportedly called it "one of the greatest short stories ever written." The story has also been turned into a play and a movie. In 1987, a film called The Dead was made, directed by John Huston.

Main Characters in The Dead

• Gabriel Conroy – He is the main character of the story.
• Gretta Conroy – She is Gabriel's wife.
• Kate Morkan and Julia Morkan – These are Gabriel and Mary Jane's elderly aunts. They host a Christmas party every year.
• Mary Jane Morkan – She is the niece of Kate and Julia Morkan.
• Lily – She is the caretaker's daughter.
• Molly Ivors – She is an old friend of the family.
• Mr Browne – He is the only Protestant guest at the party.
• Freddy Malins – He is a friend of the family.
• Mrs Malins – She is Freddy Malins' mother.
• Bartell D'Arcy – He is a singer, known as a tenor.

15 Usher's Island, Dublin, the house that inspired the main setting of the story.

The statue of William III of England on Dame Street, Dublin. It appears in a story Gabriel tells.

Some of these characters, like Gabriel and Gretta Conroy, are mentioned in James Joyce's later famous novel, Ulysses. However, they do not appear directly in that book.

What Happens in The Story

The story is about Gabriel Conroy, who works as a teacher and reviews books. It looks at his relationships with his family and friends. Gabriel and his wife, Gretta, arrive a bit late to the yearly Christmas party. His aunts, Kate and Julia Morkan, are very happy to see them.

After a slightly awkward moment with Lily, the caretaker's daughter, Gabriel goes upstairs. He joins the other guests at the party. Gabriel is worried about a speech he has to give later. He fears that some of his academic ideas might be too difficult for his audience to understand.

Gabriel's Encounter with Miss Ivors

As the party continues, Gabriel talks with Miss Ivors. She is an Irish nationalist, meaning she strongly supports Ireland's independence. She challenges Gabriel about writing for The Daily Express, a newspaper that supported English control in Ireland. She playfully calls him a "West Briton," which means someone who supports English rule.

Gabriel explains that he gets paid for his articles. He also says the free books he receives to review are almost more helpful than the money. He feels her accusation is unfair but struggles to respond well. This meeting makes Gabriel uncomfortable for the rest of the night. He feels even more distant when Gretta says she wants to visit her childhood home in Galway.

The Party Continues

The music and party go on, but Gabriel becomes quieter. He thinks about the snow falling outside and his upcoming speech. Dinner then begins, with Gabriel sitting at the head of the table. The guests talk about music and the customs of certain monks.

Once dinner is over, Gabriel thinks about the snow again. He then begins his speech. He praises traditional Irish hospitality. He says they live in a "sceptical" and "thought-tormented age." He also refers to Aunt Kate, Aunt Julia, and Mary Jane as the Three Graces, which is a compliment. The speech ends with a toast, and the guests sing "For they are jolly gay fellows."

The End of the Party

As the party slowly finishes, guests start to leave. Gabriel gets ready to go. He sees his wife, Gretta, standing at the top of the stairs, looking lost in thought. In another room, Bartell D'Arcy sings a song called "The Lass of Aughrim."

The Conroys leave the party, and Gabriel feels excited. When they arrive at their hotel, Gabriel asks Gretta what is bothering her. She tells him she is "thinking about that song, The Lass of Aughrim." She explains that it reminds her of a young man named Michael Furey. He had liked her when she was young in Galway. He used to sing "The Lass of Aughrim" for her.

Michael Furey died at seventeen, early in their relationship. Gretta had been very much in love with him. She believes he died because he insisted on coming to see her in the winter rain, even though he was already sick. After telling Gabriel this, Gretta falls asleep.

Gabriel's Realization

At first, Gabriel is shocked and upset. He never knew about this important part of his wife's past. He then thinks about how people who have died still affect the lives of those who are living. He realizes that everyone he knows, including himself, will one day only be a memory. He finds a deep meaning in this idea, which makes him appreciate life more.

Gabriel stands at the window, watching the snow fall. The story's ending describes the snow falling across all of Ireland. It says, "His soul swooned slowly, as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe, and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living and the dead."

Story Adaptations

"The Dead" has been adapted into different forms:

• In 1967, Hugh Leonard adapted it into a one-act play with the same name.
• In 1987, it was made into a film called The Dead. It was directed by John Huston.
• In 1990, the story was used as the main idea for an episode of the TV show Thirtysomething called "Happy New Year."
• The story is mentioned in an episode of the comedy show Father Ted called "Grant Unto Him Eternal Rest."
• In 1999, it became a Broadway musical. It was created by Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey.
• In 2012, playwright Frank McGuinness created a two-act play based on the story. It premiered at Dublin's Abbey Theatre, which is Ireland's National Theatre.
• In 2019, the story was adapted into a Bengali film called Basu Poribar.

See also

In Spanish: Los muertos (relato) para niños