Ways the Snow Works through Association, Metaphor, Symbol or Other Figure in Dead by Joyce James - Essay Example

The author uses this to project that Maria may mature to be Aunt Julia in terms of character and may as well influence Eveline to be like Maria. In addition to this, irony comes out when unmarried Aunt Julia sings the ‘arrayed for the bridal’ (Joyce 203). The lyrics of the song also contain these words which are ironic to Aunt Julia. “her only bridegroom is death”. We also come across elucidation of Julia’s identity as a spinster all through the story. For example, Julia’s lack of a husband has been the center of the author’s characterization. Misses Morkan’s house is also not left out in irony as the picture of Romeo and Juliet is depicted in their balcony yet there is no marriage.

The author has also managed to use symbolism in this story. The song let me die as a soldier fall acts as a symbol of mortality while the lyrics are serving as an ironic contrast to the meek protagonist Gabriel. The words in the song like brave, manly, chivalry, and the refrain are all ironical to the character of Gabriel who is pictured to be very nervous. In addition to this, the author has been able to personify Gabriel using this song (Joyce 30).

The author has also successfully used imagery to represent certain characters like Gabriel. The use of the repeated words cold, snow, faint all evokes the image of Gabriel in the story.