Investigating the Use of Stream of Consciousness in the Selected Short Stories Eveline and The Sisters from James Joyce’s Dubliners
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Date
2023
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UNIVERSITY OF ABBES LAGHROUR-KHENCHELA
Abstract
Abstract
James Joyce is a representative figure of modernist literature, known for the use of stream of
consciousness technique. His works were marked by innovative and varied employment of
this modernist technique. This dissertation delved into the psychoanalytic perspective of
James Joyce's short stories "Eveline" and "The Sisters" from his collection Dubliners,
focusing on the implementation of the stream of consciousness technique. Through an
examination of Joyce's narrative structure and stylistic elements, this study explored how the
interplay of internal monologue, free association, free indirect style, and focalization
portrayed the characters' psychological states and unveiled their unconscious desires and
conflicts. Following psychoanalytic theories, this analysis focused on the characters' internal
landscapes and their intricate connections with repressed memories, desires, and traumas. The
stream of consciousness technique served as a literary device that provided direct insight into
the characters' thoughts, enabling readers to access their unconscious processes and
psychological struggles. By exploring Eveline's internal monologue and the fragmented
memories presented in The Sisters, this study delved into the characters' subconscious realms
and examined how their thoughts were shaped by external circumstances and internal
dilemmas. Moreover, this dissertation investigated the role of free association in the narrative
flow and the association of ideas, contributing to the characters' psychological exploration.
The use of free indirect style in representing the characters' thoughts and emotions added
complexity to their psyches, allowing readers to discern the intricate interplay between
conscious and unconscious elements within their minds. Additionally, the analysis explored
the impact of grammar on the stream of consciousness technique, highlighting how Joyce's
unconventional syntax and punctuation choices enhance the portrayal of the characters'
mental processes and emotional turmoil. Furthermore, this study emphasized the role of
focalization in the stream of consciousness technique, showcasing how the characters'
subjective perspectives and focal points shape their narratives. By closely examining the
relationship between the characters' internal experiences and their external realities, this
dissertation uncovered the psychological implications of Joyce's use of focalization within the
stream of consciousness technique.