OnGabrielConroy’sEpiphanyfromPerspectiveofPossibleWorlds-最新资料

1、On Gabriel Conroy s Epiphany from Perspective of Possible Worlds【】The Dead，the last and longest story in Dubliners summarizes the theme of Dubliners paralysis ， focuses on Gabriel Conroy on the night of the Morkan sisters annual dance and dinner ，and develops toward a moment of painful self-awarenes

2、s which James Joyce described as an epiphany.The paper reveals how the protagnist Gabriel Conroys knowledge world ，wish world and obligation world are respectively contradicted with his society and explores his awakening or epiphany so as to find out the creation of the text.James Joyce was well kno

3、wn for his literary innovation and impressed people with his landmark novels Ulysses （1922） and Finnegans Wake （1938）， the short story collection Dubliners（1914） and thesemi-autobiographical novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man（ 1916）.The Dead mainly concentrates on Gabriels insecurities ，h

4、is social awkwardness，and the defensive way he copes with his discomfort.The Dead，through senses of Gabriel enclosesDubliners paralyzed spiritual world and indicates three types of the dead， namely， dead people like Michael Furey ， who loved Gabriel s wife Gretta and died at 17， dyingpeople such as

5、Gabriel s aunts Kate and Juliet and living dead like Mary Jane ，the only niece of Kate and Juliet，the caretaker s daughter Lily and drunken man Freddy Malins （Zhan Shukui ， 1998） .Admittedly ，reading through Gabriel s knowledge world ，wish world and obligation world can depict how sudden awakening o

6、ccurs to him.1. Gabriel s Knowledge WorldAccording to Ryan，knowledge worlds concern with what the characters know， do not know and believe in ，which are closely related to themselves （Lin Xiaoqun ，2013）.In this text ，Gabriel s knowledge about Morcans ，his family and the society implies his mental cl

7、ash and indifferent atmosphere of the Ireland ， reinforces the development of the events and challenges readers mind.Gabriel meets his first clash at the hands of Lily by asking her marriage prospects inthe pantry.Familiar withLily ，he asks her marriage question when he knows she no more goes to sch

8、ool.An epistemic world is created with the aid of a modal lexical verb“suppose” to expressGabriel s epistemic commitment to the girl s near future wedding.Even though “suppose” doesn t show full confidence ，yet from Gabriel s reaction to Lilysresponse it indicates Gabriel actually expects an affirma

9、tive answer ， at least an answer that can avoid embarrassment.On Gabriel s first spot ， it denotes his knowledge world is challenged and soon such diffidence fully catches him when he thinks about his dinner address.Miss Ivors without educational disparity with him also gives him a blow.When Miss Iv

10、ors abruptly questions Gabriel “Who is G.C. ？”， feels ashamed for Gabriel and teases him a “West Briton ” （ p.148 ）， Gabriel seems to struggle with his mind and persuade him out of her accusation ： But that did not make him a West Briton surely.He did not know how to meet her charge.he could not ris

11、k a grandiose phrase with her.he saw nothing political in writing reviews of books.（ p.148 ）Through these negative expressions， Gabriel displayshis dissatisfaction of beingcalled a West Briton.Gabrielthinks of Miss Ivors as a narrow-minded and aggressive patriot and indicates his self-deceit though

12、disapproving of Dublin s paralyzed social reality.In short ，Gabriel sknowledge world seems that what Gabriel knows about the world gets challenged ，reinforces that Gabriel fears to uncover his public mask，and makes a preparation to hiswished realm.2. Gabriel s Wish World3. Gabriel s Obligation World

13、Obligation worlds mean that characters should undertake their own responsibilities and should be self-disciplined according to the social law and moral rules （Bell ，2010： 59 ）.Gabriel seemingly endeavors to fulfill his obligations.Considering himself a father，hewants to make his children out of his

14、expectations and somewhat dominates his paternal role，which in eyes ofGretta seems too much.As a friend ，he tries to be kind towa rds Miss Ivors constant blames.These all are because Gabriel thinks he owes them responsibilities.When Gabriel commencest o suspect Gretta s sensibilities to Furey.His do

15、ubtful attitude is expressed in two belief worlds “Perhaps that was why you wanted to go to Galway with that Ivors girl ？” and “How do I know ？ To see him perhaps ”.The later question ，“I suppose you were in love with this Michael Furey，Gretta ” establishes Gabrielsfurther conjecture of Grettas rela

16、tionship with thatyoung man.Gabriel doubts his marriage and thus his obligation world begins to collapse.Furthermore， Gabrielseems to show his weak obligation towards his relatives：He fancies the death of Juliet and shows his uncertainty to be present the funeral ， thus indicating his descending res

17、ponsibility.The readers can draw a conclusion from Gabriel that paralyzed and lifeless state around the people and even the whole society veiled behind that seemingly cheerful and flourishing party.Thus Gabrielsdisenchantment or lack of obligation also functions to arouse the spiritual awakening of

18、the people in Dublin.4. ConclusionsThe thesis applies the PWT to explore Gabrielspossible worlds from his perspective including his knowledge world ，wish world and obligation world to provide a clear elaboration of how Gabriel achieves his ultimate awakening to the paralyzed reality or to curve how epiphany eventually strikesto Gabriel.Perhaps “the time had comefor him to set out on his journey west” ( p.175-176 )implies that Gabriel having suffered enough from p