"The Dead" Summary

Misses Julia and Kate Morkan are holding their annual Christmas dance. Their nephew, Gabriel, has returned from the Continent and feels out of place at the party. He feels that his own education and experience is far beyond theirs, and worries about being able to communicate with them because of this. Gabriel teaches at the University and writes literary reviews for a controversial newspaper. Another relative, Freddie, is drunk as usual, despite his family's constant attempts to reform him.

Miss Ivors, a colleague at the University, argues with Gabriel about his involvement with the controversial newspaper. She also states that he should spend his time learning about his own native land, Ireland, instead of going to France or Germany. Gabriel is embarrassed by her comments and tries to avoid her for the evening. Fortunately for him, she leaves before...