The Construction of Space in Ulysses, a Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Dubliners by James Joyce

Abstract

Scholars in the field of literature often focus on analysing narratives, with particular attention given to how time organisation contributes to conveying meaning. However, comparatively less consideration has been given to the exploration of spatial dimensions. This is gradually changing due to two significant shifts. Firstly, geographers, influenced by a cultural perspective, have started examining the interplay between artefacts and their environments. Their research on landscape design, architecture, and urban structures highlights how physical spaces reflect cultural dynamics and political ideologies. Additionally, there's a growing body of work exploring the geography of creativity, investigating the relationship between localities and the socio-cultural factors driving innovation, whether economic or artistic. Taking its cue from these areas, this research paper will explore Dublin's significance as an inspirational setting for Joyce, its geography as a site for the reproduction of social hierarchies, and its landscape as affected by contested political representations between Britain and Ireland. These investigations will transcend the traditional boundaries of Geography, intersecting with broader spatial theories influenced by postcolonial and postmodern perspectives.