The Dead- Symbol

The piano playing in the background of The Dead is symbolic in the sense that the vehicle, the music playing, represents many tenors, or larger themes of the story. Originally, the pianist is playing waltzes so the dinner party feels sophisticated and classy. As the evening moves on, the songs transform and become more lively and rowdy, as do the guests. Mary Jane then plays, and Gabriel remarks on the discordance of the piece, how there seems to be no melody nor any pattern.

All of the different types of piano music symbolizes the contrasting opinions of the Irish people during this time period in history. During the early 1800's, the Irish were annexed and then lead England to be known as Great Britain. When The Dubliners was published in the early twentieth century, the Irish were in turmoil because they were underneath the British, but many wanted to gain independence. Miss Ivors criticizes Gabriel as West Briton, as Gabriel admits that he does not feel great pride for his nation. Overall, the various sounds of the piano through out the evening of the party reflect on the different opinions people feel in Irish about gaining their independence from England during this time period. Joyce hopes to exemplify this flaw in society during the turn of the century prior to the First World War.