From Hybridity to Transcendence: The Reconstruction of Vernacular Cosmopolitan Identity in Joyce's The Dead from a Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

James Joyce's The Dead, a classic modernist Irish text deeply embedded with profound national metaphors, is set against the turbulent backdrop of Ireland's colonial society prior to its formal independence. Taking the protagonist Gabriel's complex identity transformation—from his initial positioning as a compliant "West Briton" to his ultimate, profound resolution of "setting out on journey westward"—as the primary narrative thread, the story profoundly exposes the severe predicaments of native identity fragmentation. Furthermore, it highlights the deep spiritual confusion directly caused by the inherent exclusiveness and ideological narrowness of Irish cultural nationalism operating under prolonged colonial oppression. Utilizing Homi Bhabha's influential postcolonial theory as the core analytical framework, this comprehensive paper systematically explores the multifaceted evolution of Gabriel's identity from three distinct but interconnected aspects. First, it examines the psychological oppression of the Other under the strict discipline of dominant colonial discourse. Second, it analyzes the complex representation of cultural hybridity, which is intricately interwoven by both colonial influences and native traditions. Third, it investigates the gradual emergence of vernacular cosmopolitanism during the critical process of the protagonist's identity awakening. Ultimately, this study further probes into the essential mechanisms of national cultural self-rescue. It aims to clearly illustrate the internal, transformative path whereby marginalized nations situated in restrictive colonial contexts can successfully achieve meaningful cultural reconstruction and genuine identity transcendence through the strategic embrace of hybridity, viewed specifically from the progressive perspective of vernacular cosmopolitanism.