Comparing “Wandering through a Garden, Waking from a Dream” and “Ulysses” in Consciousness Stream Techniques

Abstract

. “Ulysses” is one of the representative works of Irish writer James Joyce, and also a masterpiece of the writing technique known as “stream of consciousness,” which has had a significant impact on the world literary arena. “Wandering through a Garden, Waking from a Dream” is a novella created by Taiwanese writer Bai Xianyong which delicately exhibits the entire emotional flow and inner conflicts of the protagonist, Lady Qian, during her attendance at the banquet hosted by Lady Dou through the use of stream of consciousness technique. This paper compares these two classic works from the perspective of stream of consciousness, and analyzes the inspiration and creation of Bai Xianyong’s “Wandering through a Garden, Waking from a Dream” from “Ulysses”. The paper seeks to more profoundly unearth the profound literary value and social significance beneath the unique narrative style of “stream of consciousness” in the former. Based on his proficient mastery of Western stream of consciousness technique, Bai Xianyong fully exerts the creativity of an outstanding writer, forming a distinctive and unique Eastern stream of consciousness writing style rich in Chinese charm.