For Gerty McDowell, it is mariolatry that conceals her personal philosophy. It is mariolatry she uses as a hideout and it is mariolatry she uses as a Mask. To see her true face, we must have a look at her mask, for it is what she wants us to think of her, a look at her actions, for it is her most objective description, and finally a look at her dreams, for they are whom she wishes to be. It is her being in all its contradictions, that gives Gerty her purpose in Joyce's "Ulysses".
Despite her relatively brief appearance, her character is integral as it represents the aspect of woman that is connected with piety. By looking at the incongruities in Gerty McDowell's self-depiction and her actions, we see Joyce's criticism that women hide their true personality behind the mask of mariolatry.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. The Construction of Gerty McDowell
- III. Gerty's Identification with the Virgin Mary
- IV. Gerty's True Character
- IV.I Gerty's Moral Values
- V. Suppressed Sexual Desire versus Sexual Innocence
- VI. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to analyze the character of Gerty McDowell in James Joyce's Ulysses, revealing the discrepancies between her self-presentation and her true nature. It examines how Gerty constructs her identity through religious imagery and explores the complexities of her suppressed desires.
- Gerty McDowell's self-construction through the lens of Marian devotion.
- The contrast between Gerty's projected image of piety and her underlying desires.
- The role of literary and cultural intertextuality in shaping Gerty's character.
- Joyce's satirical portrayal of idealized femininity.
- The exploration of suppressed sexuality within a seemingly pious persona.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction: This introductory section establishes the central argument: Gerty McDowell utilizes the image of the Virgin Mary as a mask to conceal her true self. It sets the stage for a close reading of Gerty's character, emphasizing the importance of examining her actions and desires alongside her self-portrayal to understand her complexity within Joyce's narrative.
II. The Construction of Gerty McDowell: This chapter delves into the construction of Gerty's character, highlighting the intertextual influences shaping her persona. Joyce's stylistic choices, characterized as "namby-pamby," are analyzed to demonstrate how Gerty's romanticized world is ultimately satirical. The chapter emphasizes the influence of figures like Nausicaa and Gerty Flint, demonstrating how Gerty's character is built upon pre-existing archetypes of pious womanhood. The initial establishment of Gerty's world and character, while brief, lays the foundation for understanding her subsequent actions and motivations.
III. Gerty's Identification with the Virgin Mary: This chapter focuses on Gerty's deliberate identification with the Virgin Mary. The analysis explores the parallels between Gerty's appearance (clothing, demeanor) and the traditional depiction of Mary, including color symbolism and religious iconography. It examines how Gerty adopts Marian attributes to create a specific public image, contrasting this idealized self with the hints of underlying desires and complexities. The chapter underscores the manipulative use of religious imagery for self-fashioning.
IV. Gerty's True Character: This chapter aims to expose the discrepancies between Gerty's self-perception and her true character. It analyzes her behavior and thoughts to reveal a more complex individual than her self-proclaimed image of piety suggests. The chapter contrasts her meticulously constructed outward appearance with the less idealized aspects of her personality, emphasizing the gap between her public persona and her private thoughts and actions. The exploration of her "moral values" further illuminates this contrast.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Gerty McDowell, Ulysses, James Joyce, Virgin Mary, mariolatry, idealized femininity, suppressed sexuality, satire, intertextuality, piety, self-construction, romanticism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Gerty McDowell in James Joyce's *Ulysses*
What is the main focus of this academic work?
This work analyzes the character of Gerty McDowell in James Joyce's Ulysses, focusing on the discrepancies between her self-presentation and her true nature. It examines how Gerty constructs her identity through religious imagery and explores the complexities of her suppressed desires.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of Gerty McDowell?
Key themes include Gerty McDowell's self-construction through Marian devotion, the contrast between her projected image of piety and her underlying desires, the role of literary and cultural intertextuality in shaping her character, Joyce's satirical portrayal of idealized femininity, and the exploration of suppressed sexuality within a seemingly pious persona.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters: an introduction establishing the central argument; a chapter detailing Gerty's character construction and intertextual influences; a chapter focusing on Gerty's identification with the Virgin Mary; a chapter exposing the discrepancies between Gerty's self-perception and her true character; and a conclusion. The work also includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
How does Gerty McDowell construct her identity?
Gerty constructs her identity through a deliberate identification with the Virgin Mary, utilizing religious imagery and iconography to create a specific public image of piety. This contrasts sharply with her underlying desires and complexities, revealing a manipulative use of religious imagery for self-fashioning.
What is the significance of Gerty's identification with the Virgin Mary?
Gerty's identification with the Virgin Mary serves as a mask, concealing her true self and desires. The analysis explores the parallels between Gerty's appearance and traditional depictions of Mary, highlighting the manipulative use of religious imagery to project a specific, idealized image.
How does Joyce portray Gerty McDowell?
Joyce portrays Gerty satirically, highlighting the gap between her meticulously constructed outward appearance and the less idealized aspects of her personality. His stylistic choices emphasize the romanticized yet ultimately artificial nature of Gerty's world.
What role does intertextuality play in understanding Gerty's character?
Intertextuality plays a significant role, as Gerty's character is shown to be built upon pre-existing archetypes of pious womanhood, influenced by figures like Nausicaa and Gerty Flint. The analysis explores how these influences shape her persona and contribute to her overall portrayal.
What are the key discrepancies revealed in the analysis between Gerty's self-presentation and her true nature?
The analysis reveals discrepancies between Gerty's projected image of pious innocence and her suppressed desires and more complex personality. The examination of her behavior, thoughts, and "moral values" highlights this contrast, exposing a more nuanced character than her self-proclaimed image suggests.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include Gerty McDowell, Ulysses, James Joyce, Virgin Mary, mariolatry, idealized femininity, suppressed sexuality, satire, intertextuality, piety, self-construction, and romanticism.
- Quote paper
- Anna Klamann (Author), 2013, A critique of mariolatry in James Joyce "Ulysses". Incongruities in Gerty McDowell's self-depiction and actions, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/381018
