A Greek Vision of Joyce's Dubliners

MARÍA LAURA SPOTURNO

Mar del Plata

Jornada; III JORNADAS DEL PROFESORADO EN INGLÉS; 1999

Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata

This paper examines Joyce’s Dubliners in relation with Homer’ s Odyssey. We will argue that there exists a parallelism between the Odyssey and Dubliners with respect to form, content and style. In order to make a thorough comparative analysis of the texts, attention will be given to the first structural units of each text. Thus, we will consider the first four cantos in the Odyssey, i.e., the Telemachiad; which closely resembles the structure of the first three stories in Dubliners. We maintain that the same issues are present in both texts: initiation into adult life; self-definition of the hero, construction of identity; family relations, particularly brotherhood; hospitality, tradition and fame and fascination for the unknown. As regards style, we will analyse certain dialogical elements which give rise to the complex narrative structure and character construction in both texts. NB: El resumen presentado para la exposición efectuada en el congreso contó con una evaluación por parte de un Comité de Lectura. Adjunto el texto correspondiente a mi presentación.