The significance of the title, The Dead, confused me until the very end of the story. Initially in the title did not make any sense to me since the plot consisted of a dinner party and the conflicts that arose there. However, once Gretta and Gabriel got back to the hotel room and Gretta breaks down and starts talking about Michael I think it makes Gabriel feel dead. The fact that Michael had such a passion for Gretta discourages Gabriel because he knows he will never feel the same love for her that Michael did. Therefor Gabriel feels dead inside.