"James Joyce: Developing Irish Identity" follows the increasing focus on
Irish identity in Joyce's major works of prose. This book traces the
development of the idea of Ireland, the concept of Irishness, the
formation of a national identity and the need to deconstruct a
nationalistic self-conception of nation in Joyce's work. Through close
reading of "Dubliners", "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man",
"Stephen Hero" and "Ulysses", Joyce articulates the problems that
colonialism poses to a nation-state that cannot create its identity
autonomously. Furthermore, this reading uncovers Joyce's conception of
national identity as increasingly sophisticated and complicated after
Irish independence was won. From here, Halloran argues that Joyce
presents his readers with ideas and suggestions for the future of
Ireland. As Irish studies become increasingly imbricated with
postcolonial discourse, the need for re-examination of classic texts
becomes necessary."James Joyce: Developing Irish Identity" provides a
new approach for understanding the dramatic development of Joyce's
oeuvre by providing a textual analysis guided by postcolonial theory.