The Cyclops" and "Nestor" episodes in James Joyce's Ulysses a portrait of European society in 1904 "

Date of Award

2012

Degree Name

M.A. in English

Department

Department of English

Advisor/Chair

Advisor: Katy Marre

Abstract

The Cyclops" and "Nestor" episodes in James Joyce's novel Ulysses are filled with allusions to the First World War. Written shortly after the war ended in 1918, Joyce's satiric portrait of Irish society serves as a microcosm of the entire western world before the outbreak of war in 1914. The references to nationalism, militarism, and racism foreshadow how historians would interpret the period. The chapter is a conflict between the irrational forces of society (the citizen) and the rational (Bloom). The debate between the rationale and irrational is an ongoing theme in Ulysses that first appears in "Nestor" in the discussion between Stephen Dedalus and Mr. Deasley. My thesis will go deeper into the text and make connections between the historical allusions in the chapter and later scholarship on the time period. My primary argument is that "Cyclops" is a remarkably accurate window into Europe before the First World War."

Keywords

Joyce, James, 1882-1941. Ulysses Criticism and interpretation, Practical reason In literature, Europe Social conditions 20th century In literature

Rights Statement

Copyright © 2012, author

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