Neurotic Conflicts in Joyce's The Dead by Michael Mulvihill


Overview

In The Dead, James Joyce masterfully explores the Johari Window—shedding light on the blind spots, unspoken truths, and unconscious desires of his characters. The story captures the tension between what is and what could have been, as time transforms lived experience into memory. Regret clings to the aging, weighing them down with thoughts of unmet desires and missed opportunities.

At the heart of the narrative lies the collision of daily duty, societal expectations, and conformity with suppressed longing. Catharsis, muted by middle-class propriety, gives way to unspoken dissatisfaction. Silence prevails, particularly in the presence of Mr. Browne, “of the other persuasion,” whose mere existence underscores the characters’ discomfort with difference.

The house, with its four stories, serves as a microcosm of life itself: a space of banquets, dances, and drinks that conceals deeper conflicts. Beneath the surface, Joyce presents characters trapped in the mundanity of their lives, dreaming of a reality forever out of reach.

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Gabriel's Frustrations and Miss Ivors

Gabriel’s public speech reveals a bitterness that stems from his encounter with Miss Ivors, who confronts him with the label "West Briton." Her remark stings, exposing his detachment from Irish culture and his unwillingness to engage with his national identity. Yet Gabriel’s frustration with Ivors is more than mere irritation—it is a projection of his own fears, most notably his fear of death (thanatophobia).

Gabriel disowns Gaelic traditions outwardly, but his disdain for nationalism masks a deeper existential conflict. His desire for validation and meaning contrasts with his rejection of Ireland, creating a gulf between him and his wife, Gretta, whose connection to Galway remains steadfast. Miss Ivors, representing an alternative path of cultural engagement, inadvertently exacerbates Gabriel's insecurities, leaving him disoriented and defensive.

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Themes

The Dead traverses a multitude of themes that are as relevant today as they were in Joyce’s time:

Addiction and Societal Stigma

Thwarted Personal and Sexual Desires

Nationalism and Cultural Disconnection

Social Awkwardness and Isolation

The Transience of Life and the Inevitability of Death

At its core, Joyce’s story becomes an existential reflection: if life ultimately ends in death, how should one find meaning in the fleeting moments of existence?

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Freddie Mallins: The Tragic Outsider

Freddie Mallins, with his struggles against alcoholism, embodies the figure of the societal outcast. Though invited to the gathering, his presence is conditional; his hosts tolerate him only to the extent that he refrains from embarrassing them. Moments such as Freddie’s praise for Aunt Julia’s singing or his admiration for a Black tenor are ignored, revealing his isolation.

In 1914, alcoholism was seen as a moral failing rather than the bio-psycho-social disease it is understood as today. Freddie’s mother, more concerned with appearances, chastises him for broken promises rather than offering meaningful support. This lack of empathy perpetuates Freddie’s struggles, making him a poignant symbol of misunderstood suffering.

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Gabriel vs. Gretta: Clashing Desires

Gabriel envisions a night of indulgence—food, drink, dance, and intimacy at a hotel—hoping to escape the existential dread that haunts him. However, his plans clash with Gretta’s silent yearning for Galway and the memories it evokes.

Gabriel’s dismissive attitude toward Irish culture deepens the emotional chasm between them. Gretta’s tearful recollection of Michael Furey, a young man who loved her to his death, highlights her enduring connection to a past that Gabriel cannot comprehend.

Blinded by narcissism, Gabriel fails to recognize Gretta’s emotional needs. A simple gesture, such as agreeing to visit Galway, might have bridged their divide. Instead, he retreats into self-pity and jealousy, overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and existential despair.

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Conclusions

Gabriel’s existential musings and his fear of death are muted by the conventions of middle-class life. Confronted by Miss Ivors’ incisive remarks and Gretta’s poignant memories, Gabriel is left questioning his identity, purpose, and the meaning of his existence.

However, his struggles pale in comparison to those of Freddie Mallins. Despite his flaws, Freddie displays humility and genuine appreciation for others, qualities overlooked by a society quick to judge and stigmatize addiction. His marginalized position within the story serves as a critique of societal attitudes toward those battling personal demons.

Joyce’s lesson in The Dead is one of humility and compassion. Time is fleeting, and life’s conflicts—whether born of addiction, nationalism, or unfulfilled desires—must be met with understanding and empathy.

Today, modern Ireland offers a more enlightened approach to addiction, emphasizing treatment and support. Yet Joyce’s insights remain enduring, reminding us of the need for empathy in the face of life’s inevitable struggles and the universal certainty of mortality.

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References

[1] Einstein, Albert. “What Life Means to Einstein: An Interview by George Sylvester Viereck.” The Saturday Evening Post, 26 October 1929.
[2] Joyce, James. The Dead. Dubliners, 1914.

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