Stream of Consciousness

In the earlier 20^th century fiction saw a unique change in disrupted treatment. James Joyce was the four runners who heralded this new movement. It was called stream of consciousness novels. This kind of literature was also known as a demonstration of the working of the mind. Before Joyce no writer of fiction of so four grounded the process of thinking. While on one side critics loaded the movements there are others who called it “inimitable, and also possibly mad”.

 

Born in Dublin, Ireland James spends most of his time in France and Switzerland. In fact he had migrated permanently to continental Europe. Yet most of his characters are drawn from different cities of Ireland where he spent his early days.

Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922), a landmark work in which the episodes of Homer‘s Odyssey are paralleled in an array of contrasting literary styles, perhaps most prominent among these the stream of consciousness technique he utilized. Other well-known works are the short-story collection Dubliners (1914), and thenovels A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) and Finnegans Wake (1939). His other writings include three books of poetry, a play, occasional journalism, and his published letters. (From Wikipedia)

Time magazine considered James Joyce as one of the very important writer of the 20^th century. The magazine went to the extent of saying “Joyce….revolutionized 20^th century fiction”

 

On 11^th January 1941 Joyce had to undergo surgery in Zurich. After the surgery he improved a little bit. Doctors were thinking that he will regain good health. However he had a relapse and despite all efforts fail into a coma. On 13^th January 1941 he at 2 am he opened his eyes, asked for a nurse and requested her to call his wife and son. However within 15 minutes, before they arrived Joyce breathed his last.

 

In Dublin the work and life of Joyce is annually celebrated on 16^th June every year.

Thanks for reading.