Making Space in the Works of James Joyce

This collection examines the concept of space in the works of James Joyce, highlighting its impact on narrative and modernism.

James Joyce's exploration of space—whether urban, geographic, stellar, geometrical, or optical—serves as a distinctive hallmark of his literary oeuvre. In Making Space in the Works of James Joyce, a collection of essays by prominent scholars in Joyce studies, the focus is on how space is perceived and constructed in Joyce's writings. This anthology seeks to unite various contemporary trends in literary research and criticism, concentrating on the concept of space in its most tangible form.

The essays within this volume progress from an immediate examination of phenomenological and intra-psychic experiences to broader reflections on social, urban, and collective dimensions. Joyce's innovative formal techniques are seen as responses to the challenges of accurately expressing the nuances of lived space, ultimately guiding readers toward the intricacies of textual and linguistic space. The final essay highlights the physical space of Joyce's daily life, particularly his manuscripts, which he referred to as paperspace.

Covering all of Joyce's major works, Making Space in the Works of James Joyce offers critical insights into modernism and the intricate relationships between space, language, and literature. This collection not only enhances our understanding of Joyce's contributions but also encourages a reevaluation of how space influences narrative and meaning in literary contexts.