Heap was one among a circle of gay women who supported Ulysses (others include Margaret Anderson, Sylvia Beach, and Adrienne Monnier). That they did so can be attributed to a belief in the power of Joyce’s vision, a willingness to engage in championing libertarian causes, a collective desire for greater candour about sexual preferences and sexual experience, and broad support for the fight against censorship.
Dr Clare Hutton (Loughborough University)
Read the sixth article in a series devoted to objects that tell the story of women who supported James Joyce and the publication of his landmark novel, Ulysses. This blog series is running in conjunction with Women and the Making of Ulysses, an exhibition on show now at the Harry Ransom Center. In this week’s instalment, Clare Hutton explores the belief in artistic freedom and sexual expression that led Jane Heap to defend Ulysses in the courtroom.