Many believe that James Joyce and his novel Ulysses have become highly significant pillars of the Western world’s culture, alongside Shakespeare and the Bible. Delving into the novel’s complexities and impact, Jesse Meyers will be teaching a free class on Reading James Joyce’s Ulysses at the Cos Cob Library, starting on Monday, Mar. 6.
According to Meyers:
James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, published 101 years ago, has been cited as the most important work of literature in the 20th century. Its impact on Western culture is undeniable, with writers such as Faulkner, Hemingway, and T.S. Eliot acknowledging its influence on their creativity. Even contemporary writers like James Patterson have cited Ulysses as a driving source of inspiration.
Meyers went on to explain that the Oxford English Dictionary currently cites Joyce in defining 2,474 words and lists 414 words actually created by the author. And the book Ulysses itself has spawned some 1,800 different bound versions. More than 16,000 articles on Joyce have been tracked in journals, magazines, and newspapers. Additionally, over 15,000 dissertations have cited Joyce as a subject of study.
Ulysses has been translated into 41 languages, including Braille, Arabic, and Hebrew, with two translations in Chinese. There is even a math sequence and computer language called Joycean. An asteroid, a space robot, and a butterfly are named after James Joyce, as well as a band, a gin, and a cocktail. The very first Federal ruling on the Affordable Care Act begins with the words, “Picture a law written by James Joyce…”
Over 200 artists have completed artworks based on Ulysses and musicians like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, and U2 have acknowledged their musical offerings were impacted by Joyce’s work. Even The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album cover features a picture of Joyce.
Meyers explained that he has been studying, teaching, and lecturing on Joyce’s works since retiring from newsletter publishing in 1994. He has taught classes on Joyce at various institutions, including the Irish Consulate in NYC and NYU’s School of Continuing Education. His lecture on the global cultural impact of Ulysses given at Greenwich Library was downloaded by more than six thousand people.
The 14-week class will be held on Mondays from 12:15-2:15 PM, and registration is required. No Zoom or walk-ins are allowed, and limited seating is available. Interested individuals can call 203 622 6883 to register and are encouraged to bring their lunch.
James Joyce’s Ulysses is a literary masterpiece that has shaped Western culture in countless ways. Meyers’ free class is a unique opportunity to understand and appreciate the novel’s significance.
