Philosophical Allusions in James Joyce's Finnegans Wake

The first study to offer complete and comprehensive explanations of the most significant philosophical references in James Joyce's avant-garde masterpiece, "Finnegans Wake." It explores the broad range of philosophers Joyce wove into his last work, from Aristotle to Confucius, Bergson to Kant, and how Joyce developed and adapted those ideas through repeated revisions. By examining the Wake's key philosophical allusions, essential themes within the novel come into focus, including history, time, language, being, and perception.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

James Joyce's Finnegans Wake is a groundbreaking exploration of the most significant philosophical references in the avant-garde masterpiece. While philosophy plays a central role in Joyce's works, it is his final novel that delves into this field most profoundly. In his book, Robert Baines meticulously unravels the diverse range of philosophers that Joyce incorporated into his final masterpiece, spanning from Aristotle to Confucius, Bergson to Kant. Baines provides comprehensive explanations of each major philosophical allusion found in Finnegans Wake, tracing back to Joyce's initial encounters with these ideas and showcasing how he developed and refined them through numerous revisions. Through meticulous examination of these allusions, essential themes within the novel emerge, including history, time, language, being, and perception. Moreover, Baines highlights how these allusions interlink to form a complex network of ideas, thinkers, and texts that possess a logical coherence and integrity. By delving into the philosophical allusions of Finnegans Wake, readers gain a deeper understanding of the novel and are able to uncover profound meanings and reasons that have perplexed scholars for decades. This book serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to unravel the enigmatic complexities of Joyce's masterpiece and embark on a journey of intellectual discovery.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198894049