The short story "The Dead" by James Joyce talks about people and their relationship. One of the major themes in the story is miscommunication. This theme arises throughout the story and is mainly expressed through the relationship of Gabriel Conroy and his wife Gretta. Gabriel miscommunicates with Gretta throughout the story, does not interpret her behavior and misjudge her. During their ride back to the hotel he longs for her, while she is recalling her dead lover from her past; Gabriel doesn't see or sense that at all, being caught in his own string of thoughts. From the beginning of the story until its end Gabriel is going through a learning process from the way he sees his wife in the beginning of the story to a different point of view on her in the end. The process is influenced mainly by miscommunication on Gabriels' side. He also comes to a realization regarding his marriage. .
The story takes place at the annual Misses Morkan's dance. Among the invited people we see Gabriel Conroy and his wife Gretta. Gabriel is characterized as a very dominant person. Gabriel is concerned only about the tasks he needs to do in the party and hardly pays attention to his wife. Gabriel takes care that everybody will feel comfortable in the party: He talks to lots of of people in the party, makes sure the aunts feel comfortable and have fun, dances with the guests. He is also concerned about the speech he is about to make in the party later on. He does so many things that he is not aware of his wife's existence. She is taken for granted. .
In the beginning of the story there is scarcely a concrete reference to his wife. We know little about her. She is described as Gabriel's wife and nothing more than that. As the story begins, she is called "his wife"(200) or "Gabriel's wife"(201). Any information given us about her comes through Gabriel's eyes, or what Gabriel feels towards her. In fact, Gabriel sees her as a symbol and not as real person.
