It is recognized that there is an important correspondence between the modern stream-of-consciousness classic "Ulysses" and the ancient Greek Homer epic "The Odyssey". While Joyce carried out unconventional and bold experiments in artistic expression and plot content that went against all traditions, why did he pursue a correspondence with Homer's epic "The Odyssey"? Is it just a way of borrowing from the past to describe the present, or is it The new development of the "Ulysses tradition" initiated by Homer's epic is exactly what this article will explore. Within the framework of wandering away from home and returning home, the ancient hero's ten-year wandering at sea transformed into a day's wandering of modern citizens in the streets and alleys of the city, and this day's wandering evolved into a long inner journey, highlighting a flesh-and-blood , a multifaceted modern “Ulysses.” One is an ancient epic, and the other is a modern stream-of-consciousness novel. They arrive at the same destination by different paths, with different tunes and similar results. What they play are the songs of wanderers and people. The third chapter of "You", "Puluo Diao", is very representative: this chapter describes the thoughts of the young intellectual Stephen when he was walking on the coast: when he saw two midwives At that time, he thought of the origin of mankind, the "ancestors" Adam and Eve, and then thought of his parents who "conceived themselves in the darkness". Later, when he was considering whether to visit his aunt, a picture of an ordinary and vulgar family appeared in his mind. Then he remembered his experience living in France, and thought about his desire to make some amazing achievements there. However, his mother was critically ill, and his father sent a telegram
urging him to return home. Helpless fact. The bowl-shaped water surface of the bay in front of him reminded him of the bowl of phlegm his mother vomited when she was dying. The memory of his mother made him feel lonely...
This free association is very special Personalized, the author's shadow is almost invisible in the text. It is completely revealed to us the true face of his thoughts in the tone of Stephen, who has a philosophical mind.
The description of association here is all-encompassing, boundless but extremely detailed, such as the founder of heresy, gondolier, Oscar Wilde's "Requiem", reports about Queen Victoria, etc.
Every scene that flashes through my mind is not forgotten. It can be said to be a complete realistic record of thoughts.
However, every fragmentary detail and scene has a shell of consciousness attached. Even if the plot is trivial, it can still be seen from the things he associates. A clear main line is the thinking about
human origin and life. It can be said that "free association" is the logic of internal thought
which is closely intertwined with the randomness and jumpiness of the surface. This technique, which is similar to "overtones", allows the novel to vividly express the entire inner world and spiritual life of the three protagonists through their daily lives. .
Another unique technique of expression in stream-of-consciousness novels - "inner monologue" - reaches its culmination in "Penelope", the last chapter of the book "You"
extent. The heroine Molly takes us
into her memories, starting from Molly's romance and ending with her longing for family life
over a period of 50 years. In the space of pages, Molly reviewed the first half of her life with her smooth stream of consciousness. The use of "inner monologue" here allows the author to get rid of the identity of the narrator in traditional novels
and present the protagonist's inner activities to the readers in one go.
This kind of expression technique without the intervention of others shows a completely personal secret space,
bringing people a strong sense of reality. This is a piece of Molly’s thoughts about her 15-year-old daughter Millie
: “...she won’t even throw away the water for boiling potatoes for you. Of course she is right to save money
I have noticed that recently he is always telling her this and that at the dinner table, explaining things in the newspaper
She pretends to understand, of course it is quite cunning, but this is from his perspective. The bloodline over there gives her back her coat
The coat on the window, but if she feels uncomfortable in any way, she will tell me without telling him. He can't talk about me
Can he pretend to be like that? I do. Too honest. I guess he thought I was out of luck and no one would care about me anymore
I don’t know how to do it. Let’s wait and see..."
And other paragraphs Likewise, long, continuous sentences without punctuation allow Molly's energetic inner life to flow out naturally, flowing down to form a continuous stream of consciousness. The author also creatively uses the first person narration, allowing Molly to "speak" herself, using language with the character's distinctive personality to express all the secrets and memories in her heart. The above two methods are used to vividly express Molly's jealousy towards her daughter
and her competitive character. The successful use of this "inner monologue" technique is also an important factor in making "Ulysses" a classic of stream-of-consciousness novels.