Consider the names of the characters, specifically Gabriel and Michael--what is their origin/meaning generally and then consider their use in the text.
The names of Gabriel and Michael are significant in the story because their roles parallel the roles of the biblical Gabriel and Michael. They do this because in "The Dead" Gabriel is second in Greta's heart to Michael. Her love for him survives death and time, while Gabriel just sits in the background. In the bible Michael is the archangel and is second only to God while Gabriel is behind both Michael and God. Michael is the angel who threw the devil out of heaven and Gabriel told of the birth of Jesus Christ. This is significant in our story because Gabriel is a professor and therefore delivers learning to all his students. The Gabriel of the bible also delivers messages to Mary and Joseph about the coming of their baby. These similarities make the reader draw conclusions that Joyce knew what he was doing when he wrote this story. He wanted you to think about how these names give meaning to the story that otherwise would not be there.
It is also interesting that the one major thing that Michael did bucolically, parallels the one thing that Michael does in "The Dead". It only takes one event in both spectrum's for everyone to give Michael more love and respect. Gabriel in the bible seems to have more "face time". Same goes for the Gabriel in "The Dead".
ReplyDeleteThat is why it is sad when we see the Gabriel in "The Dead" realize that no matter how much he is there for his wife, it is insurmountable compared to the single act of love she got from Michael.