Keywords

James Joyce, Irish nationalism, nationalist literature, political literature, colonialism, "The Dead, " "Eveline, " literature of enthusiasm

Abstract

James Joyce's stories "The Dead" and "Eveline" can be considered as "literatures of enthusiasm," a term previously used only to classify political literature in the American Revolution. By showing that Joyce joins in the tradition of writing "literatures of enthusiasm," or works that inspire revolution against colonial power and influence, readers can see how this strategy served to promote a postcolonial literary tradition in Ireland. Joyce sought to inspire the creation of a national identity in the wake of generations of British imperialism, as American authors did during the Revolutionary War. Joyce works towards this goal of inspiring social change through political literature by identifying the injustice present in Irish society, inspiring the audience to participate in politics by physically responding to his ideas, and portraying all aspects of Irish society so that all individuals reading feel included and experience the same "affect of enthusiasm" against British dominion.