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 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.