Discussion - Week One - Ulysses - Episode 1, 2, & 3

[William]

I really actually enjoyed Proteus, feeling that the lyric freedom of prose that Stephen enjoys really stimulated me. Yes, it was a little harder in narrative, but the books I'm using to assist make life easier.

[Carly]

IN REPLY to Jim’s question – what do you think of how he helped the student?

Stephen thinks little of himself; thinks the boys are laughing at his inadequacy as a teacher.

Yet I think his method is good. Things we learn from our teachers are those gleaned from simple, informal conversation, between the students and teacher.

But Stephen is down about himself, more than anything else I think. This is all thanks to Mulligan’s chidings and insults. He wonders if the kids laugh because of the fees their fathers pay for them to be taught by him.

I suppose that some stuffed shirts might think he’s too casual with the boys, doesn’t assert himself and put fear into them.

Stephen is so patient with the boy. Who seems to not so much be in ‘awe’ of him, but seems to like his teacher and wants to please him.

As a result, he will learn.

-------------------------------------

[Carly]

Now, Mr. Deasy – he seems to be trying to turn Steven inside out and repaint him. He’s hellbent to put his own opinions in Steven’s head.

About those opinions …

I can't help but wonder if Mr. Deasy's opinion of the Jews was Joyce's own. Or was it his father's?
Or maybe an employer of his?

This distaste for the Jews shows up in Section 1 as well - only not as strongly as in Mr. Deasy's
part.

We shouldn’t be too shocked to read stuff like this – that’s the way the world was back then. People spoke of their fears, dislikes and expressed their opinions. There was no ‘political correctness’ hanging over their heads.

I suppose there were some people who pretended to agree with Mr. Deasy and others of his kind.

We can’t dislike the man for his feelings. That’s just who he was – he was too ignorant to think any other way.

[Carly]

OMG! Proteus! Section 3!

I’ve just listened to it all.

(Was he drunk?)

OK … OK … already – I know this is supposed to be a very important part of the book and I will make every effort to thoroughly understand it.

I will handle this in my usual ladylike, genteel manner … I am going to stand on the balcony, regardless of this miserable cold rain and wind and I’m going to shout:

JAMES JOYCE! YOU ARE A MISERABLE SON A BITCH!

Then I am going to listen to Delaney go through the Section – he will explain everything.

[Carly]

Casey wrote:

"I was young. You bowed to yourself in the mirror, stepping forward to applause earnestly, striking face."

Casey, you have nothing on me when it comes to performing for the mirror.

I used to stand in front of the mirror pretending I was Natalie Wood in Gypsy. I liked to stand with my back to the mirror and look back over my shoulder ...

Let me ...

Entertain You!

[Whitney]

Carly wrote: "OMG! Proteus! Section 3! ...I am going to listen to Delaney go through the Section – he will explain everything. ..."

Since Delaney just started on Proteus this week, I will look forward to hearing your opinion in about 10 months....

[Carly]

Yeah, I know - wish he was doing the podcasts daily instead of once a week. I've enjoyed listening to the ones he did on Section 1 & 2.

[Carly]

SECTION 3

UNDERSTANDING PROTEUS …

Delaney is only as far as Section 2 … there are no discourses past that.

It will probably take him the next two months to read through it and explain it all …. So … guess I gotta’ read the annotated book I got from the library

Grrrrr!

;-0

I’m not going to do the Gifford – that is far too much reading and I’d need annotated notes to get through the annotations!

I’m going to go with The New Bloomsday Book – A Guide Through Ulysses.

…………………………..

[Carly]

I will listen to # 3 - Proteus again this morning, reading the text at the same time.

Sorry for the negative remarks on this one, but it was my first impression.

I'm sure I'll feel better about this part once I've read some of the 'help stuff' on it.

[Carly]

Been busy, but did get some more listening and reading done.

I understand this section 3 a lot better now.

It has occurred to me that were one to take every thought, including sub thoughts, from this section and count them there'd be a big number.

I'm going to listen to 4 and maybe even 5 tonight.

Then I'll hit the books again.

I'm missing Delaney, but it will be another year before he has the whole of # 3 done. So I might as well forget it. I do have his book to read anyway.

The Bloomsbury book is helpful.

[Catherine]

Ashley wrote: "I have to say, I'm actually enjoying this book much more than expected. Its reputation led me to believe I would have to force myself through each page, but I've found it interesting overall. The..."

I've found the same thing. I began my reading and actually got much farther along than I thought I had. My version I'm reading from the most doesn't have the episodes written in so I just merrily read along and then find out where I am later when I go to my "research" version. It's a nice surprise.