“The Dead” is the final story in the collection of novels, Dubliners, by James Joyce. Like the rest of the stories told in Dubliners, “The Dead” deals with the meaninglessness and paralysis that characterizes the world-view in most modernist texts.
In “The Dead”, Joyce prompts the reader to consider the theme of paralysis through his rhetorical use of detailed descriptions, symbolism, and dialogue. This all serves to further his ideas of the meaningless and more or less paralyzed world, that even the living seem caught in.
In the sense of modernism, it can be argued that Joyce has contributed with the great idea of epiphany. This type of setting that such a contribution leads to, will further give the theme of paralysis an even stronger ground to stand upon.
“The Dead” was adapted for screen in 1987, and as the movie follows the original short story closely, it adds a good layer to the story with it’s use of cinematic techniques.
Throughout the story the theme of paralysis is accounted for, through characterization and the awkward encounters between the main character, Gabriel, and the other guests at the dinner party hosted by aunt Kate and Julia.
The condition of paralysis can be seen in all of the characters in “The Dead”. They all hang onto a meaningless routine of doing the same every year - Gabriel gives a speech, Freddy Malins arrives at the party drunk, they dance, they eat. This idea of repetition and paralysis is also employed when Gabriel tells Greta about his grandfather, whom would ride around the statue of William the third over and over.
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