In “The Dead” by James Joyce, the main character, Gabriel, is introduced as a wealthy, upper-class man who is present at a Christmas party hosted by his aunts, Katie and Julia Morkin. Gabriel's feelings and events in the story are important focal points for the reader. Throughout the story, the author uses nature to show us how the character feels. Snow is used to help us readers understand what is happening with the characters during certain events throughout the story. The author is able to describe Gabriel's emotions, feelings and thoughts through the snowy climate of this short story. The reader discovers the history of the family and the different members of the family of Gabriel, a rich man. Joyce almost charms the reader with images of a happy, loving family reunion. It makes us fall for the couples at the party. We come to kiss each couple. His use of alliteration and emotional descriptions only strengthens this connection with the characters. The feeling is strongest for the story's protagonist Gabriel. We learn of his love for his wife and his desire to see things as they were at the beginning of the relationship. We feel the story's acceleration and can't wait to see his wife return the favor and tell him how much she loves him and how she wishes things were "brand new again." What happens next is shocking and very interesting. She reports to our protagonist that she still has exciting feelings towards a man she knew before her husband. She even explains how much he loved her immensely and that he may have even died for her. He realizes that even though their relationship has always been good and he is a good man; he can never be the man who gave his life for her. Joyce succeeds...... middle of paper ......t the book. The only way for him to overcome the pain is to accept the fact that he will have to deal with Gretta's loss for his first love, otherwise he will feel lifeless for the rest of his life. Very often we are troubled by others. opinions and surrounded by our own pain. We can move forward with the encouragement of others who take risks and are courageous enough to overcome life's obstacles. Gabriel was initially angered by his wife's actions, but he was able to move and accept it, as shown by the way the snow changes throughout the story. A sacrifice that would in no way have been possible if he had not experienced the realization within history. The snow helped us readers see the change in feelings and emotions throughout the story. Instead of rejecting what people have to say, we must learn to accept differences and move forward..