Living with Hope A reflection on“The Dead”by James Joyce

【Abstract】As one of the most significant masterpieces of James Joyce， The dead had addressed the authors concern about the nations awareness of treasuring its traditions and core social values. It certainly provided a various impact on readers with different background and educational status. The article is focusing on a personal reflection with two elaborated parts： the proud and the hesitated：

【Key Words】Spiritual/Social Crux； Traditions； Social Consciousness； Epiphany

【作者簡介】邵娟（1985-），女，河南開封人，廣州華立科技職業學院，碩士研究生，研究方向：高職院校教學和管理。

The dead are often considered to be one of Joyces best novella. Some say that in this story Joyce revealed the spiritual crux of Irish society in his days by describing peoples daily and social life， trying to wake up peoples national consciousness. Others think it revealed the mental processes of the leading character： full of illusion— the ruin of illusion— an epiphany.

Firstly， Gabriel had delivered his speech with the strong sense of pride of his nation， which was exactly the author was trying to address. Joyce deeply loved his country； he was quite proud of the traditions the hospitality， patriotism， benevolence etc. However， he was worried， anxious， insecure because he realized some excellent traditions and qualities were gradually disappearing. Joyce had been trying to awakening peoples national consciousness， arouse their patriotism， their potentially existing passion for life， for their nation and society. Undoubtedly， whatever times we live， whatever social designations we are holding， passion should be reserved for our country， our nation， just as Joyce has reminded us. I always believe that if a book is considered classic， it must have either enlightening or instructive influence on real life， just as The dead did.

Secondly， Joyce appeared to be passive， hesitated， depressed to some extent. Great thinking is generally more painful in the soul， as he always has an insight into more problems， cruxes in society. Joyce did see peoples spiritual actuals and social problems of his times， but what he could do with the current status？ The Author had an epiphany at the last part of the story， but I think it is covered with passive colour. Joyce felt insecure， confused， helpless and depressed. Maybe he simply tried to remind people about something since there was little that he could do.

Thirdly， Id like to express my opinions on problems accompanying social development and progress. Each age has its own problems and defects， either in Joyces age or in modern society. Almost everyone admits that our modern society is highly advanced. We own high technology， high living standard and excellent medical opportunities. However， we cant avoid “spiritual paralysis”. The rapid development of society is more liable to bring us emptiness， loneliness， depression and disillusionment. We are undergoing stresses from all areas： compete for better education， better jobs， and better lives. What I would like to emphasize is that we are always progressing while all kinds of difficulties are arising.

We are blessed to have a chance of living in the world. Whatever you have experienced， forget unhappiness， darkness and misfortune， just treasure all that we have owned.

Life is always full of hope， only if you believe.