Ceylon as an Exotic Escape in James Joyce’s Ulysses

James Joyce’s Ulysses has been recognized as a literary masterpiece and has been interpreted in terms of many aspects. Being a quintessential Modernist novel, the novel brings out several post-colonial themes and concerns. Joyce writes about Ceylon in the episode “Lotus- Eaters” and his viewpoint is different from that of the common English perspective of his era. Many critics have interpreted this episode in terms of materialism and the colonial quest of acquiring resources and some critics have recognized the exotic Ceylonese symbols to be connected with psychology and sexuality. A new interpretation of this episode can shine a light on Joyce’s unique narrative techniques and his ability to transcend perspective. Therefore, this study would consider Joyce’s perception of Ceylon in terms of exoticism as presented by Victor Segalan in Essays on Exoticism and Edward Said in Culture and Imperialism while exploring how Joyce attempts to radically challenge the Western view of the Far East which was solely based on the acquisition of resources and financial gain.