Referred to variously on its publication as “a most goddamn wonderful book” and “the foullest book that has ever found its way into print”, Ulysses is the controversial and influential masterpiece at the heart of modern literature. This course offers an informed, guided journey through Joyce’s Ulysses, focusing on selected episodes and placing the book’s themes and ideas in the context of the history and culture of the time. It is specifically directed at accommodating both the first time reader and the experienced ‘Ulyssean’ traveller.
The opening lecture, ‘What sort of book is Ulysses?’, offers an introduction to the book’s form and content, the background to Joyce’s writing of the book and the battle for its publication, as well as consideration of the place within the novel of the structural narrative of Homer’s Odyssey, and an introductory whistle-stop tour through the book’s eighteen episodes.
Subsequent lectures will offer an in-depth consideration working progressively through Ulysses, initially using its central characters as the convenient means to our understanding and consideration of the book’s many themes and ideas. We will look in detail at a number of the key episodes and our encounter with Ulysses will be informed through reference both to its literary form, in terms of the book’s many different styles, and to the relevant historical, cultural and political aspects of the Ireland which it addresses.
The course is intended to offer both an overview and a detailed consideration of Ulysses. With this aim in mind, it combines lectures with some tutor-led discussion during which we will discuss selected passages of the novel. Students are expected to read Ulysses before attending the course. First time readers of Ulysses may find it helpful to have an introductory guide beside them, such as Harry Blamires’ The New Bloomsday Book.
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"Mark's extensive knowledge and boundless enthusiasm helped me to new insights. Immensely enjoyable; very good class discussions, with Mark an engaged participant."