Ulysses in Critical Perspective

A survey of foundational theory on James Joyce’s Ulysses

This collection of essays reviews the state of theory on James Joyce’s Ulysses more than 100 years after the fictitious Leopold Bloom steps into the novel, a day Joyceans celebrate as Bloomsday. The contributors—well known for their work in James Joyce studies—each provide three assessments in their areas of specialization: a history of the best criticism to date, an updating of critical positions, and an agenda for future examination. In clear, accessible language, the collection examines the insights readers can expect from particular modes of inquiry and offers an informed view of theoretical approaches and interpretive trends.

For new Joyce scholars, the book provides a highly readable summary of existing criticism. For seasoned Joyceans, it offers an important review of the methodologies that have made significant contributions to understanding the novel.