The Dead By James Joyce Conflict Essay

James Joyce reveals in “The Dead” a number of inner conflicts in the character of Gabriel. He makes it clear to the reader of Gabriel’s challenges of man v. self through techniques such as the motif of time and symbolism.

The number uses the motif of time to describe Gabriel’s inner character. Joyce mentions how Gabriel has a feeling of not being as sympathetic as what he thinks he should be. “He wondered at his riot of emotions of an hour before,” shows how Gabriel reflects on who he is and who he wants to be. Joyce continues on while mentioning all of the forced pity Gabriel has for his wife since he can’t bring himself to truly feel this way for her. Later on in the story, Joyce uses the present tense to mention how Gabriel wants to change for his wife. Joyce writes “Yes, yes; that would happen very soon” that illustrates Gabriel’s inner conflict to change the way he views things for his wife. Additionally, Gabriel mentions his wife’s past lover
Joyce gives a broad example of the marriage falling apart in Gabriel’s point of view through the, “chair over which she had thrown some of her clothes.” The author mentions in the second paragraph of the essay the string of petticoat hanging on the floor. As Gabriel’s wife is asleep, Gabriel views this “dangling petticoat string” as an omen of their dangling, delicate relationship. This symbolism draws the reader to make an inference of an inner conflict that Gabriel has with his wife through the forms of their relationship. Additionally, Joyce mentions the two books standing somewhat upright. “One boot stands upright while the other is limp on its side,” this ties to the idea that Gabriel wants the revive the marriage, but he fears it will fail on his behalf. The purpose of using symbolism in this passage was to give an in depth meaning of what the clothes mean to Gabriel through a series of inner