Often Times in a Work of Literature, a Writer Will Repeat Certain Words Or Phrases To

English 251Q

April 24, 2003

Final Paper

Often times in a work of literature, a writer will repeat certain words or phrases to represent a broader subject prevalent in the work. In The Dead, by

James Joyce, the word “snow” is repeated quite often and signifies a more complicated topic. The places in the work that snow is mentioned are often a time where the reader senses a state of insecurity. Joyce chooses to use “snow” as a representation of security. Throughout the story, snow is mentioned when characters tend to find this comfort.

From the earliest mention of snow in this work of prose, Gabriel finds security by leading himself to believe that he is better than other people of Irish descent. Snow is first mentioned when Gabriel walks into the party, and is

“scraping the snow from his goloshes…” (2497). He comments that his wife

“takes three mortal hours to dress herself” (2497). The tone he takes with this comment is one that is demeaning to his wife Gretta, who is originally from

Ireland. Interestingly enough, Joyce actually puts Gabriel above the snow, suggesting that he feels to be a superior person to Gretta. Later, Lily, the caretaker’s daughter, in following upon seeing snow on Gabriel’s overcoat, asks if it is still snowing outside. In doing so, she pronounces his name as a less educated person would. “Gabriel smiled at the three syllables she had given his surname,” suggesting that he finds it amusing (2497). Here he clearly thinks that he is her superior because he notices that she has not had as much education as Page 2 he has. Further into the story, Gabriel is expected to give a speech, one of which he has been nervous and dreading from the beginning. In thinking of his speech, he finds comfort in thinking about being anywhere other than at the party, namely outside in the snow. “How pleasant it would be to walk out alone, first along by the river and then through the park! The snow would be lying on the branches of the trees and forming a bright cap on the top of the Wellington Monument. How much more pleasant it would be there than at the supper-table!” (2506). He has been dreading the speech because he included a quotation from an upper- classed writer, of whom no one from the party would recognize. This makes him feel as if the reason he knows of the writer, and they do not, is because he is of higher class than they are. They do not know of this writer because he is not of

Irish descent, something they find unpatriotic for him to quote. The Wellington

Monument mentioned here is in Meath, Ireland (one of the most historic provinces of Ireland), and was constructed so that the Duke could watch over

Irish lands. Gabriel finds security in feeling that he is where the snow is, above the people of Irish descent. Snow is mentioned three more times just before

Gabriel gives his speech. “People, perhaps, were standing in the snow on the quay outside, gazing up at the lighted windows and listening to the waltz music”

(2511). Once again, Gabriel finds relief and comfort in believing that people strive to be where he is. The people in the street gaze up to where Gabriel is, furthermore reiterating that he finds security in feeling as if he is above them.

“The air was pure there. In the distance lay the park where the trees were weighted with snow. The Wellington Monument wore a gleaming cap of snow…” Page 3

(2511-2512). Evidently, Gabriel feels as if the air at the party is hard to breathe, by noting that the air outside is pure and breathable, much like the snow itself is pure. Again Gabriel finds security by thinking of himself as being the snow on top of the monument, in place of the Duke. Snow is not mentioned again in respect to Gabriel and his search for security until after Gretta tells him about her relationship with Michael Furry. “A few light taps on the pane made him turn to the window. It had begun to snow again” (2524). It is almost as if the snow is telling Gabriel that he is no better than other Irish people, by drawing attention to the security it represents.

People at the party, of Irish origin, find security in Ireland. Upon following

Gabriel’s speech, Aunt Julia claims that Mr. D’Arcy must be getting a cold as a result of the weather (2517). “They say, said Mary Jane, we haven’t had snow like it for thirty years; and I read this morning in the newspapers that the snow is general all over Ireland. I love the look of snow, said Aunt Julia sadly” (2517).

Aunt Julia misses snow because it reminds her of her home country. She associates the snow with the comfort and security of Ireland. Later, snow is seen on the statue of Daniel O’Connell, who was an Irish nationalist. “Gabriel pointed to the statue, on which lay patches of snow” (2519). In noticing this statue, the bond that the people of the party intend to keep with Ireland is established. The snow on the statue is restating that people of Irish descent and snow, belong together. “Yes, the newspapers were right: snow was general all over Ireland. It was falling on every part of the dark central plain, on the treeless hills, falling softly upon the Bog of Allen and, farther westward, softly falling into the dark Page 4

Shannon waves” (2524). The in-depth description of Ireland and the imagery is used here to allow the reader to see the landscape of the country that these people of the party love so dearly. This allows the reader to connect with the characters in the memories that the Irish people find security in.

Gretta finds security of the snow in her love, Michael Furry, found in

Ireland. She merely enjoys being in the snow, no matter what consequences she has to take. “But as for Gretta there, said Gabriel, she’d walk home in the snow if she were let. Mrs. Conroy laughed” (2498-2499). Obviously Gretta does not take offense in Gabriel’s words, otherwise she would not laugh. Seeing as how the snow brings about thoughts of Ireland, she would automatically think of the last time that it had snowed so harshly (30 years before) when she was young.

This happens also to be the time when she was in love with Michael Furry. Upon leaving the party the following morning to find a cab, the snow has begun to melt.

“It was slushy underfoot; and only streaks and patches of snow lay on the roofs…

She [Gretta] was walking on before him [Gabriel] with Mr. Bartell D’Arcy…”

(2518). Earlier, Mr. D’Arcy had sang a song that reminded her of her past in

Ireland. Here she is walking with him, as if to spend time with the person who reminded her of that connection with Ireland. Later that night, Gretta tells Gabriel about her former love and the outcome of the situation. She finds relief in telling

Gabriel about her past because she simply falls asleep. She is at rest with knowing that she had that love once in her life that she associates with Ireland.

“His soul swooned slowly as he heard the snow falling faintly through the universe and faintly falling, like the descent of their last end, upon all the living Page 5 and the dead” (2524). “The dead” here is a clear reference to Michael Furry, in that he died for the love that Gretta finds comfort and security in. Gretta is able to sleep, knowing that she had that special love once in her life. Although she may not be with Michael Furry now, she is secure of her feelings for Gabriel. The snow falling on everyone is a reference that everyone has, at one point in time, sought security.

Much like snow forms a “blanket” on all it covers, characters throughout this story find snow to be a “security blanket”. Joyce clearly indicates when characters are having security problems by mentioning this theme. Although it snows throughout the story, “snow was general all over Ireland” and security comes from their Irish origin.