In James Joyce's "Ulysses," the character Stephen reflects on the impact of language, expressing his concern about the negative feelings that complex words can provoke. He suggests that the use of grandiose language often leads to confusion and discontent rather than clarity and understanding. This highlights a fundamental tension between the desire for eloquence and the potential for miscommunication and emotional distress that can arise from it. Stephen's statement resonates with a broader theme in the novel regarding the struggle for identity and the search for meaning in a complex world. The fear associated with "big words" symbolizes a fear of misunderstanding and the burdens that come with intellectual expectations. In the end, Joyce illustrates how language, while a tool for expression, can sometimes alienate individuals from themselves and others.

In James Joyce's "Ulysses," the character Stephen reflects on the impact of language, expressing his concern about the negative feelings that complex words can provoke. He suggests that the use of grandiose language often leads to confusion and discontent rather than clarity and understanding. This highlights a fundamental tension between the desire for eloquence and the potential for miscommunication and emotional distress that can arise from it.

Stephen's statement resonates with a broader theme in the novel regarding the struggle for identity and the search for meaning in a complex world. The fear associated with "big words" symbolizes a fear of misunderstanding and the burdens that come with intellectual expectations. In the end, Joyce illustrates how language, while a tool for expression, can sometimes alienate individuals from themselves and others.