This study is an examination of the beast motif associated with Stephen Dedalus in Joyce's Ulysses. The motif has its origins in Joyce's earlier novel, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. In Ulysses the beast motif is related to Stephen's feelings of guilt and remorse over his mother's death and includes characterizations of Stephen as a fox, a dog, a rat, and a vampire. The motif consistently carries a negative connotation. Several literary sources for the imagery of the beast motif are apparent in Ulysses, including two plays by John Webster, a poem by Matthew Prior, medieval bestiaries, and a traditional Irish folk riddle. The study of the continuity of the beast motif in Ulysses helps to explain the complex characterization of Stephen Dedalus.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc504088 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Tappan, Dorothy C. (Dorothy Cannon) |
| Contributors | Linebarger, J. M. (James Morris), 1934-, Wright, Eugene Patrick, 1936-, Mitchell, Giles R. |
| Publisher | North Texas State University |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | 71 leaves, Text |
| Rights | Public, Tappan, Dorothy C. (Dorothy Cannon), Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
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