What if James Joyce had written Ulysses without any consideration for literary theory?

James Joyce did step away from the structured literary theory when he penned Finnegans Wake. But, what if he had written Ulysses without any consideration for literary theory? Could the outcome have been the same? Let's explore the possibilities and insights this thought experiment might offer.

Implications of No Literary Theory

Without the theoretical framework, Joyce's writing style and the Ulysses experience might have unfolded differently. Joyce's literary theory, though loosely structured and influenced by his reading and observations, was a significant driving force behind the novel's unique construction. If he had written Ulysses without any such theory, the result might not have been the masterpiece we know today.

Joyce's ability to blend historical references and literary elements with fiction is well-recognized. His psychological portrayal of the protagonist Leopold Bloom is astounding. However, the absence of a robust theoretical framework could have led to a less cohesive narrative and a different reading experience. Without the guidance of literary theory, Joyce's writing might have been more disjointed, potentially losing the intricate layers of meaning and symbolism embedded in the novel.

Joyce's Learning from Other Writers

While Joyce undoubtedly learned from the styles of other writers, the question remains whether he would have missed certain elements if he had written without the influence of literary theory. In all likelihood, he would have reinvented the aspects that influenced his work, as he often did. For instance, his exploration of stream of consciousness and the blending of various literary techniques into a single novel were all novelistic experiments that could have evolved in the absence of specific literary theory.

The Historical Context of Literary Theory

It's important to understand the historical context in which Joyce wrote. Literary theory, as we know it, was not a prominent discipline in early 20th-century Europe, mainly excluding the USSR. Writers like Andrei Bely, Vladimir Mayakovsky, and Alexander Khlebnikov experimented with theories about language and prosody, but these were not widely recognized or applied. The concept of literary criticism existed, but it was largely simplistic and did not encompass the complex theories of signifiers and deconstruction prevalent in later decades.

Georg Brandes in Denmark was doing pioneering work in academic literary criticism as early as the 1870s, but this doesn't directly reflect the literary theory of the 1960s or later. Thus, the early critics of Ulysses focused more on the book's themes, such as Catholicism and the human condition, rather than its literary techniques. Virginia Woolf found it vulgar, while T.S. Eliot admired it but missed its comedic elements. These varied perceptions underscore the multifaceted nature of the novel and the lack of a standardized literary theory to guide the interpretation and appreciation.

Writing the Way He Did

James Joyce wrote Ulysses for a myriad of reasons, including his nationality, his aspiration to create a great work of art, and his humor and appropriateness. He deliberately chose to write a chapter in the voice of an unnamed minor character who is a bigoted person, intending to explore themes of prejudice. His decision to incorporate a chapter that is a musical interpretation of language was meant to emphasize the rhythmic and musical qualities of language.

The Role of Literary Theory

Literary theory, which I am familiar with but sometimes grateful for not having to study formally, serves to elucidate Joyce's work. However, it is unclear if it enhances the enjoyment or understanding of the novel. Joyce amusingly said that his book would keep critics busy for a long time, implying that he wasn't writing solely for critics. John Lennon shared a similar sentiment about his song, I Am the Walrus. Much like Lennon, Joyce incorporated his unique style of writing without the intention of making it overly complex or obscure.

Ulysses is designed to be enjoyed on multiple levels. It is a celebration of knowledge, intelligence, and cultural references. One can appreciate the novel in one reading and enjoy it differently on subsequent readings. It is designed such that readers who do not understand it the first time might grasp the nuances in the future. The novel's complexity is a testament to Joyce's profound intellect and his dedication to craft a work that defies easy interpretation.

Conclusion

James Joyce did write Ulysses without any rigorous consideration of literary theory. The novel's construction and themes emerged organically from his unique blend of influences. The absence of literary theory would not have fundamentally altered the novel, but it might have presented a different reading experience. Joyce crafted the novel in a way that invites multiple interpretations and levels of understanding, making it a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers across different generations.