The twentieth century was a time of change. Through the growth of industry and the expansion of knowledge came new ideas of how to rule the world. Wars broke out, women’s rights and the Irish Free State were being fought for, and many were exposed to the harsher aspects of reality. Writer’s began to focus on impressionism in short lyrics and stories, on individual moments in life. Literary symbolism was made to evoke special ideas and feelings, influenced by Romantic and Victorian ideas. And as Ireland was fighting for independence, many Irish writers were gaining attention for their social commentary. One such Irish writer who seems to be the epitome of both new forms of writing and ideas of social reform in his work is James Joyce.
Joyce was the oldest child in a large family. As a child, Joyce’s family took notice of his passion for literature and intelligence
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Feel live warm beings near you. They aren’t going to get me this innings. Warm beds: warm full blooded life. Coffined thoughts around me, in mummycases, embalmed in spice of words. Thoth, god of libraries, a birdgod, moonycrowned. And I heard the voice of that Egyptian highpriest. In painted chambers loaded with tilebooks. They are still. Once quick in the brains of men. Still: but an itch of death is in them, to tell me in my ear a maudlin tale, urge me to wreak their will.”
Notice how Joyce brings up ideas that seem out of place and off topic compared to what is actually happening in the story. This is what makes the stream-of-consciousness technique so appealing. By knowing character’s thoughts, how random they may seem, we gain insight into their personality and the setting they exist in (Ellis-Jones). While the novel itself is banned in the United States due to obscenity, there are college courses dedicated to analyzing it. There are also specialized versions of this story that are made for casual readers who could have difficulty understanding its complex