Critique of Joyce's "The Dead"
             Joyce's book "The Dubliners" reflects Irish life at the return of the century. "The Dead" addresses the themes of poverty, politics, religion, and the role of gender.
             Miss Kate and Miss Julia Morkan are throwing their annual Misses Morkan Dance. It is a huge party around the Christmas season. The party is huge, friends family and students are always present for the annual event. Lily, the caretaker's daughter, struggles to keep up with her many tasks. When Gabriel and Gretta arrive, Lily greets them and hands them their coats. Gabriel notices her slim body and asks her if she has plans of marriage. When Lily replies with scorn for men's predatory nature, Gabriel is rattled and tries to smooth things over with a nice tip. She refuses the tip but eventually accepts.
             This beginning scene reflects Gabriel's place at the party. He is a rich well educated man. His character contrasts sharply with Lily, and most of the other members of the party. It shows the division of classes in Ireland at the beginning of the century.
             The next scenes show the masculinity of Gabriel. In some it represents the role of genders during that time. Gretta complains to Miss Kate and Julia how Gabriel forces her kids to wear certain shoes and to have their some lift dumbbells. To Gretta, these initiatives her husband demands are silly. She goes on to say how they were going to be staying in a hotel, because Gabriel feared Gretta would get sick from the cold weather.
             Gabriel is also directed to take care of Freddy, who is coming to the party drunk. He is to make sure he is alright and not out of hand.
             Later in the night, the Gabriel ends up dancing with Miss Ivors. She insults him for writing for a conservative paper under Unionist leanings. She tries to smooth things over by inviting Gabriel and Gretta on a vacation in Ireland. He decline...