In the Irish Catholic Society portrayed by James Joyce in Dubliners, the characters live in a world driven by "respectability", but some are driven by the urge to escape. Joyce illustrates the respectable population as false and undesirable and describes his protagonists as the few who recognize and attempt to grasp opposing points of view. However, in his somewhat pessimistic approach, Joyce concludes each story with an inevitable reference to the world from which the characters would have liked to escape. Most exemplary of this is "The Dead", the longest and most multifaceted of all the stories as it could arguably be the culmination of any previous narrative. The only story in the collection with a distinct ending, "The Dead," confirms that any escape attempt will ultimately be thwarted at the expense of "respectability," as its final character, Gabriel Conroy, attempts to escape, but is unsuccessful. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Joyce inserts subtle escapist language throughout the story. When Gabriel Conroy is first introduced, he removes his overshoes to reveal patent leather shoes. (p.202) This is notable for its reference to both the aspect of escape and the aspect of respectability. Gabriel's patent leather shoes (shoes are a mode of escape) are covered in snow by his overshoes. Interestingly, the mediums who could lead this man to escape are "covered" ("respectability"). It is obvious that Gabriel attempts to distance himself from the typical mentality of the general public, as demonstrated by his journalistic analyzes (which earned him the uncoveted title of Miss Ivors's "West Briton" (p.216)) and other similar representations of his "mindset open", liberal attitude. (“We usually go to France… to keep in touch with the languages ​​and partly to change” (p.216)), yet it is Gabriel who insists on the overshoes. "Glutty!" Ms. Conroy said. This is the last thing. Every time it's wet I have to put on overshoes, even tonight, he wanted me to put them on...'" (p.205). Proves that overshoes are the newest thing. "Golosce...don't you know what golosce are? Gabriel says that everyone wears them on the continent." (p.205) It seems that it is Gabriel who wants to escape, yet he is the one who insists on "respectability". He is a man who wears "gold-rimmed glasses" that "shield his restless eyes" (p.203. He is restless and wants to escape, yet even his glasses are covered in "gilding". (covering made to look like gold, not (even real gold, as if to demonstrate that "respectability ", as desirable as it may seem, it's all a show) His desires for escape are shielded by his own ties to "respectability." When he is nervous or feels out of control in a certain area, he tries to "dispel it by adjusting the cuffs and bows on his tie" (p.203) or "stroking his tie in a reassuring way" (p.205). "Respectability" is the protection Gabriel seeks from Gabriel's inexplicable fascination with snow is another tool used by Joyce to create an atmosphere of unsuccessful escape. "Gabriel's warm, trembling fingers tapped on the cold glass of the window. How cool it must be outside! How pleasant it would be to go out alone... the snow would... form a bright cap on the top... How much nicer it would be there than at dinner." (p. 218-219). As Gabriel looks out the window (he is still inside, unable to escape outdoors) he is mesmerized by the falling snow. Whether it is escaping the suffocating indoor environment to have free fun outside, or even being like snow, liberated, emancipated and free-falling, Gabriel follows it with melancholy eyes. Yet, unbeknownst to him.