Theme Of Identity In James Joyce's Ulysses

The idea of identity and how we reflect on our ‘self’ is a key theme threaded through the entirety of Ulysses. Specifically on the idea of what it means to be Irish and how colonialism has greatly paralysed and usurped this notion within Ireland. It’s interesting too, that Joyce had to divide himself from his nation to write critically of Ireland. crucial- idea of the ‘other’ within colonialism and nationalism

One of the obvious consequences to colonialism within a country is the destruction and loss of its native language. The loss of Irish as a language, and the struggles the people and culture have within preserving and reviving it; in association with the English language is exhibited throughout Joyce’s, ‘Ulysses’. Joyce doesn't just

More often through the existence of religion; surrounding Catholic and Jewish identity within the characters; Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom. Both characters show a disconnection with the main attributes of what it means to be Irish at that time; Catholicism. Dedalus is raised as a catholic but in Joyce’s accompanying novel, ‘A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man’ it shows how he distances himself from his religion and continues this struggle throughout ‘Ulysses’. A point can be made as well that the character of Stephen Dedalus is a reflection of Joyce as a student. A quote taken from Joyce himself within a paper by Douglas Kanter expresses this; “I left the Catholic Church, hating it most reverently- now I make war upon it by what I write and say and do.” Which can easily be presented within Joyce’s work throughout ‘Ulysses.’ He presents the catholic church as an usurper and alike the British colonial power. And, although Stephen has turned his back on his faith; the catholic church still holds power over him; fear. In episode fourteen, ‘Oxen of the Sun’, where Stephen discusses with the other men, what could be considered as blasphemous about Mary’s pregnancy with Jesus, suddenly there is thunder heard outside and it is immediately referred to “Thor thundered: in anger.” Even

It has grown from being situated in an environment where the people around him can easily pinpoint his differences, specifically; Nationalists. And, what it means to be a nationalist. Joyce tries to convey within ‘Ulysses’, what the problem of being a nationalist is. Furthermore, how they ostracise and ‘other’ those that surround them that don't fit into the default characteristics and attributes of a national citizen. Such as; Bloom. Bloom’s alienation within society is easily highlighted within the episode of the ‘Cyclops’. Throughout the episode, as readers, we are aware of the isolation that progresses throughout, with Bloom in the bar with the other men. They interlude with Irish phrases and words and tension builds thus once it is raised firstly with the mention of Thomas Davis’ poem; A Nation Once Again and how it is interesting that it is said that it is a “timehonoured anthem sung as only our citizens can sing it.” and then finally, when it is mentioned; “what a nation means?” Bloom pipes up an answer that is laughed at and then he’s asked what nation he arises from, which of course he answers with Ireland. He insists that he’s Irish. In response, the character Joyce names, ‘The citizen’, spits in disgust. Bloom is not only alienated for being believed to be a true, Irish born citizen but of course for being a “perverted Jew”. This episode’s intertextuality with the