a Feminist Approach On James Joyce Ulysses Researc

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Overview[edit] In terms of feminism in general, Joyce was not involved directly in any feminist movement or inspired any feminist movement. Instead, the only mention of Joyce in early feminism was in passing. To early feminists, like Kate Millet, Joyce merely stated what most primitive men stated. Later feminists, like Marilyn French, believed that Joyce looked down on women in general. Although Richard Brown points out that Joyce did have a place within the development of feminism, it seems that feminists spent more time dealing with critical interpretations of Joyce than with the text itself (Brown 89). Our major encounter with Molly is a raw exposure to her mind in "Penelope". Many critics have argued over her representation of the feminine within the novel, but there is a major consideration to keep in mind when discussion her portrayal--it is early in the morning and her statements could be completely incorrect. Early views[edit] The chapter itself was seen as voyeuristic and pornographic by early critics. This was intentional, and even Molly's name is associated with whores. However, part of this deals with the connection of the work with a long tradition of male written works about women revealing the private matters and thoughts dealing with women (Van Boheemen pp. 267-8). Some early critics accepted the work as artistic, others just outright dismissed it, and this started a long debate within criticism as to how the chapter, in its portrayal of Molly's sexuality, effects the judgment of Ulysses. However, the problem with interpreting Molly's character is that so many critics have their own version of Joyce's intention while dismissing previous critics version of Joyce's intention (McCormick 18). In discussion correspondence between Miss Weaver, Scott points out: "'Penelope' she described as 'pre human,' to which Joyce responded, 'Your description of
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