Joyce and media studies: modalities of the visible and textual in <i>Ulysses</i>

Abstract

This article approaches Ulysses by James Joyce in the context of media studies. It therefore parts from the theoretical perspective developed by Toronto School founder Marshall McLuhan, who absorbed several artistic infl uences in order to elaborate his communication theory. Among these, Joyce and his literary work occupies a prominent position. Th e article off ers fi rst a historical overview on diff erent approaches regarding the theorization of the avant-garde. In a second step, it relates McLuhan’s concern with the evolution of language to the literary text of Ulysses. Th e third part then integrates the results obtained into a concept of the avant-garde as an attempt to overcome traditional, short-sighted tendencies that frequently reduce the richness of the avant-garde to an ideological common ground, a dubious integration of art into the praxis of life or a simple anti-bourgeoisie revolt.

Keywords: Ulysses, James Joyce, media studies, Marshall McLuhan.