The Dead (James Joyce)

Prompt: Centered on direct and indirect characterization. Your focus question should be on how elements of a story interact with one another. For example, how does setting affect character or how does conflict drive character development.

Pages Read: Start to Finish (60-some pages)

This story, considered a masterpiece of literature, has some of the most implicit characterization I have read in a long time.  It's funny the prompt should bring up the question, "How does setting affect character?" because the setting is the essence of the theme.  It's quite difficult to discuss the turning point (the last page..) while not spoiling the ending.  Truly, the ending is what makes the piece such a pivotal and acclaimed work.  I was struck by the sheer implicit morbidity and the abrupt realization of Gretta's reluctance.  Honestly, I could not fathom giving away the ending.  I have stated that before, but  I have never meant it so much.  Once the reader can get over the verbose hill of the "rising action" and dinner scene, they will never forget this short story.  

Back to the point, setting drives characterization throughout this story, and through the vast majority of Joyce's other works.  To put it simply, the author uses the stereotypes and customs of traditional middle class Irish families and weaves together the faults and the hardships every human faces.  The setting, not exactly bleak but with the day to day monotony and the struggles of staying well, interesting makes the transition of Gabriel more poignant.  We can all relate to Gabriel, even if we haven't gone through the exact severity of his experience.  We've all gone through the feeling of being excited for something and anticipating it so much that when it comes, something hinders the process and ruins the whole mindset and I guess, time.  Vagueness is what I'm going for here, and certainly what Joyce wanted in his development of Gabriel.  In truth, we see no physical or lifestyle change.  Gabriel's disappointment (the closest term I think that would somewhat encompass the fact) leads to a change in mind and heart.  Which have been shown to be interconnected. 

Perhaps an easier example of character development for this blog's author is that of Gretta's.  Gretta is Gabriel's wife.  Which is basically all that she is until the last few pages.  The development is not so much in the character as in the reader.  We realize the age old saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" holds truth, especially in the monotony of everyday, family life.  Gretta becomes complex and human, something many writers leave out in supporting characters.  If he had not given Gretta such a backstory, one that affects her relationship with her husband (central to the climax) , the story would be bland and tasteless.  Sort of like the life he describes for both Gretta and Gabriel.  No prior knowledge of the setting and culture is needed, as Joyce's implicit portraits of boredom and repetitiveness give you a clear idea of Gabriel's final soliloquy.