Matthew Creasy matthew.creasy@glasgow.ac.

uk
Office hour 1pm Mondays (Rm 503, No 3 The Square)

TC18 James Joyce

Suggested Essay Questions

1. My intention was to write a chapter of the moral history of my country and I chose
Dublin for the scene because that city seemed to be the centre of paralysis.
James Joyce to Grant Richards
EITHER Use this remark as the basis for a discussion of Dubliners
OR Discuss the importance of Dublin to Joyces work.
2. Like Swift and another living Irish writer, Mr Joyce has a cloacal obsession. He
would bring back into the general picture of life aspects which modern drainage and
modern decorum have taken out of ordinary intercourse and conversation. (H.G.
Wells)
EITHER Discuss Joyces cloacal obsession.
OR Discuss Joyces writings in relation to the concepts of realism and / or naturalism.
3. Like a devil taking pleasure in forcing a virgin to speak obscenely, so Joyce
rejoiced darkly in causing the language of Milton and Wordsworth to utter
all but unimaginable filth and treason. Such is Joyces Celtic revenge
(John Eglinton).
EITHER Discuss the use of obscenity in Joyces writings.
OR What forms does Joyces Celtic Revenge take in his writings?
4. Dedalus, said McCann crisply, I believe youre a good fellow but you have yet to
learn the dignity of altruism and the responsibility of the human individual.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
EITHER, What value is the concept of bildungsroman in relation to Joyces work?
OR, What role does autobiography play in Joyces work?
5. Though we find ourselves agreeing with Blooms judgements, identifying with his
foibles, understanding his errors, siding with him against adversaries, and preferring
him over his peers, we are never allowed to forget his comic identity; to lose
perspective or distance. (David Hayman)
To what extent do you agree with this verdict?
6. Here form is content, content is form. You complain that this stuff is not written in
English. It is not written at all. It is not to be read or rather it is only to be read. It is
to be looked at and listened to. His writing is not about something; it is that
something itself. (Samuel Beckett)
Discuss in relation to any text by Joyce.
7. No honourable and sincere man ... has given up to you his life and his youth and
his affections from the days of Tone to those of Parnell but you sold him to the enemy
or failed him in need or reviled him and left him for another (A Portrait of the Artist as
a Young Man).
EITHER Discuss Joyces response to Irish Nationalism.

OR Discuss the topic of betrayal in Joyces writings

8. Still I think out of the dreary sameness of existence, a measure of dramatic life
may be drawn. Even the most commonplace, the deadest among the living, may play
a part in a great drama. (James Joyce, Drama and Life)
EITHER Discuss the role of the commonplace in Joyces writings
OR, What measure of dramatic life do you find in Joyce? You may discuss his prose
and / or theatrical writings.
9. All day I hear the noise of waters
Making moan,
Sad as the sea-bird is, when going
Forth alone,
He hears the winds cry to the waters
Monotone.
Chamber Music XXXV
EITHER, Discuss the value of acoustic patterning in Joyces poetry or prose.
OR, What are the strengths and / or weaknesses of Joyces poetry?
10. Discuss Joyces writings in relation to any ONE of the following topics:
Ireland and / or religion
Intertextuality and / or allusion
Sexuality
Adolescence
The Other
Please use ONE of these questions to write an essay of 2,500-3,000 words on
at least one significant text by James Joyce, or contact me to arrange an
alternative topic and title. I will be available in week 6 during my office hour
and by appointment to discuss titles and plans for this assessment.
You should hand the essay into the department office by 3pm NOON on Friday
2 April 2014 along with an essay submission form and declaration of
originality. You should also submit an electronic copy of your essay via
Turnitin on the Moodle site for this course.
Your mark for this essay will constitute 40% of the overall mark for the course.