By accessing the inner workings of Bloom, Molly, and Dedalus, readers experience a myriad of human joys, anxieties, and traumas. Though Ulysses may initially appear structurally disorganized and chaotic, Joyce does this intentionally to mimic the bedlam of human thought and the loneliness that results from being a captive of the mind.

The results are well-rounded characterizations and rich portrayals of the psyche. Joyce’s intention in writing Ulysses was to use prose to explore the inner thoughts of the human mind. In its use of stream of consciousness, unusual structure, humor, and interior monologue, Ulysses employs many of the hallmarks of literary modernism. This year’s centennial is in celebration of the novel’s publication. Since the novel is set on June 16, 1904, Bloomsday celebrated a literary centennial on June 16, 2004. Political figures, such as Charles Stewart Parnell, who advocated for Irish independence from Great Britain, strongly influence the motivations of Dedalus. The book also incorporates the historical context of early twentieth-century Ireland, providing a vivid snapshot of life in Dublin at a time when Irish nationalism was a growing concern.

Other characters in the book, such as Bloom’s wife, Molly, and Stephen Dedalus, represent the characters of Penelope and Telemachus in the Odyssey. The everyday life experience of Joyce’s protagonist, Bloom, corresponds to the journey Ulysses took after the Trojan War. Through 18 episodes, Ulysses structurally parallels the Odyssey, Homer’s epic poem that chronicles mythological events of ancient Greece. Ulysses is set on a single day, June 16, 1904, in Dublin, Ireland, and features the character Leopold Bloom.

On Bloomsday, which takes place on June 16 each year to honor the life of James Joyce, we invite you to read Gale’s coverage of Ulyssesin volume 26 of Novels for Students. Considered one of the greatest works of literature, this groundbreaking novel was published in its entirety in 1922, sparking the beginnings of modernism in literature. James Joyce’s Ulysses celebrates its 100 th birthday this year.

Ulysses novel