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Analysis Of The Poem ' The Dead '

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McCrea and Cheng have differing views on the role of identity within Joyce’s “The Dead.” McCrea argues that identity is incomplete because of the limitations of language whereas Cheng argues that the cultural atmosphere shapes identity. I, however, agree with certain aspects of both arguments. Firstly, I believe that McCrea’s focus on failed communication is needed to understand the nature of identity within “The Dead;” however, McCrea incorrectly blames everything on the failure of language, when the individual and society is also partly responsible. Therefore, I believe that Cheng’s argument, that the environment partly forms identity, is valid; however, he needlessly restricts the Conroys’ identities by directly comparing them to Britain and Ireland. I will use Cheng’s focus on a culturally formed identity in tandem with McCrea’s thematic focus on failed communication within “The Dead” to answer the question of why Gabriel Conroy’s identity fades at the end of “The Dead” (248). To answer this question, I will consider Gabriel’s personal thoughts about himself, others, and how he responds to each challenge he receives to his personhood.
First, we must discuss the state of Gabriel’s identity before it fades. Before it fades, he is misunderstood. This fact is seen when Gabriel has a conversation with Lily. During this conversation, Gabriel exclaims that “I suppose we 'll be going to your wedding one of these fine days with your young man” (197). Lily responds, with “great

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