James Joyce Literary Devices

In the short story of “The Dead” by James Joyce, the main character of the story is introduced as Gabriel. Throughout the story gives an insight on Gabriel’s character and what he is going through while looking at Julia. This gives an insight on Gabriel’s vulnerable and insecure thoughts. The story gives a strong insight on Gabriel’s character by using literary devices like imagery, motif, diction, and syntax. The point of view will also be helpful to the story to show what is occurring in the story and giving information about Gabriel’s actions and thoughts. Gabriels character has various aspects in the short story. He is shown to be vulnerable, insecure, and afraid. The reason why these aspects are noticeable is because in the story there is textual evidence to show how he is truly feeling. For example, in a paragraph he mentions “He wondered at this riot of emotions of an hour before.” This indicates how his emotions are spiraling …show more content…
Throughout the story, it shows Gabriel’s character being detached from his dying wife. In the first paragraph, it quotes, “He watched her while she slept as though he and she had never lived together.” This indicates that Gabriel and his wife are not close as they used to be in the beginning of their relationship, but are still together out of convenience. Another example that gives imagery to the reader is “ He did not like to say even to himself that her face was no longer beautiful.” This shows that at one point they were in love, however now they are not in love and it shows how much pity he feels for her. The point of view of this story is third- person since it gives an insight on Gabriel’s thoughts and actions. It gives the point of view of Gabriel through the narrator. In the beginning it says “Gabriel leaning on his elbow, looked for a few moments.” Indicating it is not his point of view, but the