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. Listen as James Joyce weaves harsh realities back into this story as is characteristic with other stories in this series 'Dubliners'.