|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of my first diffculties when i first picked up Ulysses (after reading completely none related material) was visualising the scene. It was only after being told that it begins in a tower (i was rather confused to why there was a gunrest in their home . . .) could i begin to make sense of it. Does anyone know the precise history of Martello Tower? Joyce was there for some time, wasn't he. On re-reading this first chapter, i am surprised that we get such a complete picture of Stephen (and also Buck Mulligan). Who was it that wrote about understanding the whole of Ulysses from the first opening sentence? It is certainly true we get a surprisingly complete portrait of Buck. His mock-introit satirirses Joyce's mock-heroic. As Joyce substitutes Bloom for Odysseues, Buck is substituted for the Priest. And of course, it is comic. He is mocking Buck's imitation just as he is mocking his own. For me, the image of the razor blade and the mirror crossed, lying on a bowl of lather is so powerful and essential to the whole idea of Ulysses. (i fear i am going to overstrech these opening lines) A razor and a mirror. Obviously this is a symbolic Christian cross over the Communion bowl (dont know the technical name, anyone help me?). A bowl of lather would be white, almost like crushed Communion bread (symbolic). THe mirror: Mulligan quotes Wilde from preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray about the rage of Caliban not seeing his face in the mirror (from The Tempest). His quote is quite useful if we look at Wilde's preface. It asserts several things about the nature of Art (rather too dogmatically): "The 19th Century dislike of Realism is the rage of Caliban seeing his own face in a glass." "The 19th Century dislike of Romanticism is the rage of Caliban not seeing his own face in a glass." Buck's quotation seems like an attempt to reach the intellectual level of Stephen, as i suspect that Buck will not be aware that the rage of not seeing hios own face in a "glass" (not a "mirror") is a comparison to the 19thC dislike of Romanticism. Stephen's "symbol of Irish art" is "the cracked looking-glass of a servant". Stephen, the well-read intellectual will be well aware of his statement in reference to Wilde, and to me, is inferring that Irish art seems to be a combination of Realism and Romanticism. ALthough Caliban can see his faced in a cracked glass, it is distorted in such a way that it is somehow more Romantic, less real. Buck's statement was a passing, blase joke to Stephen whose retort is angry with "bitterness" and takes his art seriously. He thinks: "Parried again. He fears the lancet of my art as i do that of his. The cold steelpen." Could say lots more will leave it at that for now. . . Be good to hear some of your opinions of the mirror and razor, of course there's Kinch, the knife blade, the mirror setting humans from animals, etc.. Thanks, bod Getting up at 06.00h on a Sunday meant for me half an hour of reading of Ulysses. Even though Bod said (and I saw a book by Hugh Kenner) that Ulysses is a book of comics, the mood in the first 25 pages is one of 'moody brooding' (page 9.) Stephen is a very sensitive person, his moodiness is not much offset for all Buck's gaity. And since I read the sentences 'It is a symbol of Irish art. The cracked looking glass of a servant', they have not left me. Bod, you said: "Buck's quotation seems like an attempt to reach the intellectual level of Stephen, as i suspect that Buck will not be aware that the rage of not seeing hios own face in a "glass" (not a "mirror") is a comparison to the 19thC dislike of Romanticism. Stephen's "symbol of Irish art" is "the cracked looking-glass of a servant". Stephen, the well-read intellectual will be well aware of his statement in reference to Wilde, and to me, is inferring that Irish art seems to be a combination of Realism and Romanticism. ALthough Caliban can see his faced in a cracked glass, it is distorted in such a way that it is somehow more Romantic, less real. Buck's statement was a passing, blase joke to Stephen whose retort is angry with "bitterness" and takes his art seriously." Here are my thoughts: I look at stephen's sentences as reflecting his deep sadness at what Irish art has become - that they cannot even see themselves, cannot recognise themselves because they do not even KNOW the real state of affairs - not that the image is romantic and somehow unreal. I know little of Irish history, and what I know is based on what little I have read. Joyce did not like the images Yeats was projecting and the road he wanted Irland to take. For Joyce did not like thinking in such heroic manner, held nothing of nationlistic feelings. I had asked myself when I started reading Ulysses what has this novel to do with Odysseus. The answer given in the introduction to the penguin edition we are using is that 'Bloom is a standing reproach to the myth of ancient military heroism.' Further on it is said that 'Joyce was reaching against the cult of Cuchulainn'. So the cracked mirror is symbolising this state of affairs. The reflection is so poor that one does not see what is being reflected. That it is the cracked looking glass of the servant could reflect the condition to which Irish art had sunk to at the hands of the British. And Irland as such. This conflict is seen by what happens at the breakfast table. When the old lady comes bringing milk, Buck says referring to Haines, 'He's English, ... and he thinks we ought to speak Irish in Iceland.' 'Sure we ought to, the old woman said, and I'm ashamed I don't speak the language myself. I'm told it's a grand language by them that knows.' Assuming that she was irish, she should have been able to speak the Irish language. But ... And the condenscending attitude of Haines (British) is pointed at when he says, 'I intend to make a collection of your sayings if you will let me.' And what does Stephen answer: 'Would I make money by it?' Speaks volumes about the condition of Irish art. And, I would like to second what Bod said: "Be good to hear some of your opinions of the mirror and razor, of course there's Kinch, the knife blade, the mirror setting humans from animals, etc..." And do tell me too the meanings of the word omphalos and Sassenach. (The Sassenach wants his morning rashers.) Also why does not Stephen like to wear grey? (Page 5) Finally, those of you who are well versed in Ulysses, would you please write what one should pay attention to when one reads the next 20 pages? Thanks Have a nice Sunday Chandra 1.176 Omphalos- "Navel" In the Odyssey, one of Homer's epithets for Ogygia, Calypso's island where Odysseus is stalled (navel of the sea). . . The Oracle at Delphi was also an omphalos(navel of the earth). In the late nineteenth century the Omphalos/navel was seen as the astral soul of man. 1.120 6:11 I can't wear them if they are grey Stephen= Hamlet's insistences on dressing in black after his fathers death. Historically one would wear black for one year and a day. by 1904 this rule way relaxed. If the period between his mothers death and burial was the traditional three days . . .she must of died June 23 1903. Stephen would be free to go into second mourning in eight days. At this point grey would be acceptable. mike
I do not think Mike Quest answered your question on the meaning of "Sassenach". I believe it is an old English word for an "Englishman". It is used rather pejoratively in Ireland, I am told. Your thoughts on the subject of art in Ireland, or Joyce's or Steven's views on it are interesting. Caliban of course is the savage on the island Prospero has "colonized" in 'The Tempest' and utters the famous line: "You taught me language and my profit on it is, I know how to curse". - Rasik Shah
Rasik said: "I do not think Mike Quest answered your question on the meaning of "Sassenach". I believe it is an old English word for an "Englishman". It is used rather pejoratively in Ireland, I am told." It is actually Gaelic, not old English; and it means "Saxon." And as you say, it is generally used as a pejorative reference to the gentlemen of Perfidious Albion, especially in regards to them being conquerors. It has a wonderfully invidious sound to it as well, with the hiss and the final rasp at the end.... Best, --Quail |