The main character in this short story is Gabriel Conroy and the entire short story takes place during his attendance at a holiday party, annually thrown by his aunts. Near the end of the party Gabriel sees his wife, Gretta, in a new and expanded way at the same moment when she is reminiscing on a song being sung at the party.
James Joyce is an Irish author best known for his epic novel Ulysses, as well as his collection of short stories titled Dubliners. His Irish experiences form a basis for his writings and his short story collection is said to be a penetrating analysis of the stagnation and paralysis of Dublin Society.