Unmasking the Gothic in James Joyce's Early Works

Abstract

James Joyce is known as one of the most important writers of the Modernist period. He gained this reputation by the way in which he experimented with literary form. But as this thesis will show, his early works are also influenced by Irish literary Gothicism. This Gothicism does not relate to the usual Gothic themes of haunted castles, ruins and wild landscapes but is centred around the darkness and fear which, according to Joyce, affected his fellow Dubliners as a consequence of British colonialism and Roman Catholicism. Incorporating Gothic themes and motifs into his narratives highlights this darkness and fear. My research uncovers that historical events such as the Great Famine and Gothic authors such as Joseph LeFanu, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde may also have influenced Joyce. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, is to closely examine the Gothic elements in Joyce’s works. It will conclude that Joyce should be regarded as a Modernist author who was deeply influenced by the Gothic genre in the early part of his career as a writer which is evident from the stories I am discussing.