James Joyce’s Eyepatch

Origin
Regarded as one of the most seminal authors of the 20th century, readers have been marveling over his realistic settings, deeper allusions and dense writing style for years. Plagued by familial dissension with his parents over his irreligious stance and love for literature, he eventually moved to mainland Europe as a teacher with his siblings. Joyce developed eye problems while traveling and required multiple surgeries and treatments, often wearing an eyepatch.

Many contemporary and modern critics reviewed his works as wholly their own type of style, demonstrating a true outsider perspective, while others saw his near impenetrable language structure a sign of mental volatility. Both views could be considered correct, as his irreconcilable familial differences, heavy drinking binges, passion for music and notable curiosity shaped the personalities he created for his works. Instead of simple characters driven by plot, he crafted nuanced and conflicted persons based on people he personally met who pushed forward allegory and message. Novels such as Dubliners, Ulysses and Finnegans Wake would prominently use historic basis, epiphanies, alternating narrators, humorous parody and even his displaced Irish identity to tell a compelling, if not complex story.

Effects
Placing over the eye removes both eyes abilities to process light waves. Rather, they begin to see in front of them the world their mind is thinking. Any object or person is clearly defined, and the user can control their properties and actions in any way they desire. Gaining control quickly allows for manipulation of their dreams and to a limited degree, their subconscious values. Removing the patch at any moment without closing the eyes will cause the objects to actualize, where they can become volatile and quickly dissolved away. Known to cause extreme amounts of drinking, ocular injury, familial dissent, and oddly, constant humming.