James Joyce

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James Joyce’s Revolutionary Style
The works of Irish writer James Joyce are distinguished by their keen psychological insight and use of various literary techniques. The Irish novelist revolutionized the treatment of plot and characterization in fiction. No doubt, James Joyce became one of the most influential writers of the 1900’s. Many critics consider William Shakespeare his only rival as a master of the English language. According to Harvard students Nick Smith and Olivia Verma, “With his inventive narrative style and engagement themes, Joyce had established himself as a leading Modernist” (Biography of James Joyce 1 of 2). His works reflect the Irish experience and contribute to the national literature. Joyce saw himself as advancing beyond into the future of literature.

Joyce was born in a Dublin suburb on February 2, 1882 and was the eldest of ten children. He wrote all his works about that city, though he lived outside Ireland from 1904 on. He believed that Ireland’s strict nationalistic and religious attitudes prevented writers from portraying Irish life realistically. He lived and wrote in Paris, Rome, Trieste, and Zurich and returned to Ireland only twice, briefly in 1909 and 1912 (Columbia Electronic encyclopedia 1 of 2). Joyce suffered a painful eye disease for most of his adult life and became almost blind despite many operations (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2001). Nick Smith and Olivia Verma, authors of Grade Saver, believe that “Joyce heavily relied upon the emotional support of Nora Barnacle, his unmarried Irish lover, as well as the financial support of his younger brother, Stanislaus Joyce” (Biography of James Joyce 1 of 2).
James Joyce was educated at Jesuit schools. He went to the Clongowes Wood College in Clane from 1881 to 1891. Afterward, he attended Belverde College in Dublin from 1893 to 1899. Joyce ended college at University College in Dublin in 1902 (Columbia Electronic...