Throughout the story, the reader senses the weakness of
character in Gabriel. When Lily, the caretaker's daughter whom he knew as a child and
"used to sit on the lowest step" with her, replies to his questions about her boyfriend
with bitterness, Gabriel cannot even retort. He avoids any confrontation; when Molly
Ivors accuses him of being a "West Briton," he again squirts the issue. Even with his
wife, who is distraught, he only wants to make love to her rather than talking with her
about her feelings.
Gabriel is repugnant as a lifeless,
weak man. He lacks the passion that the true Irish have as represented in Molly Ivors.
He is what is called "the tragic Irish." spiritually and emotionally
paralyzed.
No comments:
Post a Comment