A critique of mariolatry in James Joyce ‘Ulysses‘. Incongruities in Gerty McDowell‘s self-depiction and actions

Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject Didactics - English - Discussion and Essays, grade: 1,0, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, course: Modernism, language: English, abstract: 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.