Final answer:
The snow falling all over Ireland at the story's end symbolizes purity and the idea of rebirth or renewal, emphasizing the unity between life and death and the natural cycle of the world.
Step-by-step explanation:
By the story's end, when we hear that snow is falling all over Ireland, it represents a symbolic and universal blanket that covers both the living and the dead. This imagery suggests a sense of unity and continuity between life and death, indicating a natural cycle.
Answer to the given question would be 'a) It symbolizes purity and rebirth'. The snow implies a purifying quality and the idea of rebirth or renewal. It brings to mind the idea that no matter the divisions among people or the finality of death, nature's processes treat all equally, underscoring a common humanity.
As for predictive value, while there is none regarding an early spring or Gabriel being stuck in Dublin specifically, the mention of snow is significant in terms of literary predictive elements. It foretells not a specific event, but the ongoing cycle of life and an equalizing effect on the distinctions between individuals.
The falling snow isn't merely a coincidence and thinking of it as such would overlook the deep symbolic meaning embedded within the narrative and its commentary on life and death.