Gabriel is blinded by his pride and is unable to see how these interactions affect the women involved. He seems to believe she was maliciously trying to “make him look ridiculous before people, heckling him and staring at him with her rabbit’s eyes.” In reality, it seems that Gabriel is the one who has upset Miss Ivors, as she leaves the party before dinner and refuses to let anyone walk her home. Soon after, Gabriel’s brief conversation with his colleague, Miss Ivors, leaves him with an unpleasant feeling and a desire for revenge. After he forces his tip on her, she has no choice but to thank him, suddenly changing the dynamic: Lily can no longer be offended, but feels obligated to express gratitude instead. Lily wants to reject his tip as she rejected what he intended as a compliment, but this time Gabriel insists that she take it. Instead of leaving her alone, Gabriel tries to tip her to make himself feel better. Gabriel is hurt by “the girl’s bitter and sudden retort” and continues to linger in the “gloom” it has cast over him. Gabriel makes a comment about her being of the age to marry, and is immediately hurt when she responds with a bitter remark about men. On this night, he suddenly notices her physique and complexion, realizing she is no longer the child he knew her as. In the opening scene, Gabriel seeks female validation in his interaction with Lily, the caretaker’s daughter whom he has known since she was a girl. What he does not realize is that these interactions often leave the female characters just as wounded.

Gabriel seems to take a lot of pride in his masculinity, but when he seeks validation from female characters, he is often let down. His pride is also nurtured by his strong adherence to his role as a man and his desire to “master” his wife. He places a great deal of emphasis on how women react to him, regardless of whether they are a romantic interest or not. Throughout “The Dead,” the protagonist Gabriel is strongly influenced by his interactions with women, which often spur jealousy and injure his pride.

The dead by james joyce