The Dead

by James Joyce

The Dead: Flashbacks 1 key example

Section 3
Explanation and Analysis—Their Secret Life:

As Gabriel and Gretta leave the party and walk through the snow to catch a cab home, Gabriel reflects on their “secret life” together, reminiscing about romantic moments they have shared in the past:

Moments of their secret life together burst like stars upon his memory. A heliotrope envelope was lying beside his breakfast-cup and he was caressing it with his hand. Birds were twittering in the ivy and the sunny web of the curtain was shimmering along the floor: he could not eat for happiness. They were standing on the crowded platform and he was placing a ticket inside the warm palm of her glove.