jun 1, 1914 - Dubliners by James Joyce

Description:

When speaking to Grant Richards, the future publisher of his collection, James Joyce said, “It is not my fault that the odour of ashpits and old weeds and offal hangs round my stories. I seriously believe that you will retard the course of civilisation in Ireland by preventing the Irish people from having one good look at themselves in my nicely polished looking-glass.” Joyce therefore makes his intention in writing Dubliners clear: in the interest of his people and his nation, he aimed to provide an unapologetically realistic depiction of Ireland at the turn of the century. His objection as well as resistance to literary and societal tradition further marks the significance of Joyce’s 15-story volume. In regards to the realm of literature, Joyce significantly contributed to the definition of the modern short story. His innovation with structure and form, such as shifting points of view and “anticlimacticism,” speaks to the magnitude of his contribution. Joyce further resisted literary tradition (namely the ideals of the Victorian era) by exploring themes of isolation, paralysis, and death in the context of his homeland. In the presentation of these “darker” themes, Dubliners reflects the political, religious, and social turmoil that plagued Ireland in the early 20th century, an ongoing conflict that took a psychological toll on its inhabitants. Though his novel certainly speaks back to the time of its publication, Joyce’s text holds relevant a century later, for
emulations of his experimental techniques can be found in narratives produced today. Additionally, his writing helps to immortalize Ireland’s history and national identity.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: