The Melting Snow

Everything seems to come to a head at the end of “The Dead.” After what seems to be another story about the paralysis of the people of Ireland, Gabriel has an epiphany that is very different from past ones in this collection. In past collections each character would have an epiphany realizing their shortcomings, but they never offered a way to break the cycle. Gabriel not only realizes his shortcomings, but he starts to change with his possible newfound feelings for his wife. He even remarks, “his own identity was fading out into a grey impalpable world” and it “was dissolving and dwindling” (192). Gabriel is breaking the cycle that was previously controlling his life thoroughly this awakening love for his wife.

I have always felt that Joyce throughout has been commenting on how the older generation was holding Ireland back from progressing and keeping it in a state of paralysis. I think this scene affirms my belief. Gabriel’s old way of thinking, he realizes, is not enough for him to be happy. Joyce questions the old thoughts of how a husband and wife should feel about each other, and how a society interacts between classes. It is clear he is advocating for change. The ending scene of snowing falling on Ireland I think too shows that Joyce believes the paralysis of Ireland will pass. The snow creates a frozen paralysis on Ireland, linking the living and the dead with both being covered. I see this as a last ditch attempt to keep the old order. But eventually the snow will melt and the new generation will break free and reform Ireland and its paralysis will end.