Ep. 74 - Irish Orientalism

We explore Leopold Bloom’s connection to the ancient Phoenicians.

Phoenician Merchants and Traders, 1880’s

Topic covered in this episode include: social hierarchies in Ireland, Dubliners v. culchies, Leopold Bloom’s fascination with the Orient, how imperial British culture informs Bloom’s worldview, whether or not some people in Irish society benefited from colonialism, the Celtic Revival movement, how the Revivalist applied an Orientalist worldview to the West of Ireland, the view that the first settlers of Ireland came from the Near East, The Book of Invasions, the adventures of the Milesians on their way to ancient Ireland, how DNA has changed the way we see ancient Ireland, the belief that the Irish descended from the ancient Phoenicians, the belief that Ireland was Calypso’s island in The Odyssey, Charles Vallancey’s belief that the Irish language came from Phoenicia, Irish Orientalism, the cultural function of an Irish connection to the East, Orientalism as a tool for nationalism, the inequality and racial purity of Revivalism, James Joyce’s view on Irish Orientalism, what an Irish-Phoenician connection adds to the character of Leopold Bloom, and how a connection to ancient Phoenicia allows for a more inclusive view of Ireland.

Sweny's Patreon helps keep this marvelous Dublin landmark alive. Please subscribe!

On the Blog:

"The Coming of the Sons of Miled," c. 1911, a depiction of the Milesians’ arrival in Ireland

Is Leopold Bloom Phoenician?

Social Media:

Facebook | Twitter

Subscribe to Blooms & Barnacles:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher

Media Mentioned in this Episode

The Book of Invasions

DNA Caillte, a TV4 documentary on the DNA of prehistoric Irish people

Ogygia, Roderic O’Flaherty

Atlantean, documentary series by Bob Quinn

Ireland, Land of Saints and Sages, James Joyce

Further Reading:

1. Bongiovanni, L. (2007). “Turbaned Faces Go By”: James Joyce and Irish Orientalism. Ariel: A Review of International English Literature, (38) 4 (2007): Retrieved from https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/ariel/article/view/31180 

2. Butler Cullingford, E. (2000). Phoenician genealogies and oriental geographies: Joyce, language and race. In D. Attridge & M. Howes (eds.), Semicolonial Joyce (219-239). Cambridge University Press. 

3. Herring, P. (1974). Lotuseaters. In C. Hart & D. Hayman (eds.), James Joyce’s Ulysses: Critical essays (71-90). Berkeley: University of California Press. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/wu2y7mg 

4. Ito, E. (2008). Orienting Orientalism in Ulysses. James Joyce Journal, 41(2), 51-70. Retrieved from http://p-www.iwate-pu.ac.jp/~acro-ito/Joycean_Essays/U_Orientalism.html

5. Joyce, J. (1907). Ireland, Island of Saints and Sages. Retrieved from http://www.ricorso.net/rx/library/authors/classic/Joyce_J/Criticism/Saints_S.htm 

6. Kershner, R. (1998). "Ulysses" and the Orient. James Joyce Quarterly, 35(2/3), 273-296. Retrieved July 14, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/25473906

7. Lennon, J. (2008). Irish Orientalism. Syracuse University Press. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/books/edition/Irish_Orientalism/nnbRKOsmyJIC?hl=en&gbpv=0 

8. McKenna, B. (2002). James Joyce’s Ulysses: A Reference Guide. Greenwood Press. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/y2oth7lc 

9. Said, E. (1978). Orientalism. Vintage Books. 

10. Shloss, C. (1998). Joyce in the Context of Irish Orientalism. James Joyce Quarterly, 35(2/3), 264-271. Retrieved July 14, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/25473905