Similarities with Surrealism:
* Stream of Consciousness: *Ulysses* famously employs stream-of-consciousness narration, which mirrors the chaotic and illogical flow of thoughts, much like surrealist art.
* Dream-like Sequences: The novel contains passages that are dreamlike and fragmented, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy, a key characteristic of surrealism.
* Subversive Language: Joyce's use of puns, neologisms, and linguistic experimentation can be seen as subverting traditional language, mirroring surrealism's challenge to conventional structures.
Differences from Surrealism:
* Political and Social Critique: While surrealism often focused on the subconscious and dream imagery, *Ulysses* is deeply rooted in real-world issues, exploring themes of Irish identity, colonialism, and the human condition.
* Purposeful Fragmentation: Joyce's fragmentation is not purely random like in surrealism. He uses it to achieve specific artistic aims, like exploring the inner lives of his characters and mimicking the complexities of consciousness.
* Literary Tradition: *Ulysses* is heavily influenced by literary traditions like realism and modernism, while surrealism emerged as a reaction against these styles.
In Conclusion:
*Ulysses* shares elements with surrealism, especially in its exploration of the subconscious and its experimental use of language. However, its grounding in social and political realities, its deliberate use of fragmentation, and its connection to literary tradition set it apart from the movement. It's more accurate to categorize *Ulysses* as a modernist novel that incorporates elements of surrealism.