The work of the Irish-poet Joyce, Ulysses, reflected many topics, the most prominent of which was the theme of "short life and precious time". From the perspective of Ulysses, the novel described his powerlessness in the face of death and life after experiencing a short life. The characters and time in the novel became very short, which made people feel the fragility and preciousness of life. In addition, the novel also explored the conflict between human desire and rationality, as well as the loss and helplessness of human beings in the face of time. Ulysses was regarded as one of the representative works of modernist literature, with profound ideology and unique artistic style.