Stephen defends himself, saying the problem is to get money, either from the milklady or Haines.
What's the deal here, is there a grift in the works?
I like this little line here that Buck says "you come along with your lousy leer and your gloomy jesuit jibes
Lousy Leer and Jesuit Jibes. Is there a such thing as a two word alliteration?
Yes there is!
I always thought that an alliteration had to be at least 3 words, which, I see now is kind of a dumb rule to have.
So, yeah, Stephen mentions that he sees little hope from Haines or the milklady. I think there might be a grift in the works, especially after that statement is followed up with Buck Mulligan saying "Damn all else they are good for. Why don't you play them as I do? To hell with them all" It's looking shady as heck.
They drop the subject for the time being empties his pockets on the table including the snot rag from earlier.
"Mulligan is stripped of his garments" - This is some catholic business here, a reference to the 10th stop of the stations of the cross. this is when they nailed Jesus up, the Romans stripped him of his clothes and divided them up amongst themselves... Hell, I'll just copy the quote.
Matthew. Chapter 27 Verses 33-36:"And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there."
Buck throws his junk on the table, including the snot rag from before.
"And putting on his stiff collar and rebellious tie he spoke to them, chiding them, and to his dangling watchchain. His hands plunged and rummaged in his trunk while he called for a clean Handkerchief. God, We'll simply have to dress the character, I want puce gloves and green boots. Contradiction. Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. Mercurial Malachi. A limp black missile flew out of his talking hands." (a black Latin quarter hat)
Haines called the two to come out side.
What is going on with this paragraph? I really wish Mr Joyce would used Quotation marks. First we are describing Buck's actions: "And putting on his stiff collar and rebellious tie he spoke to them, chiding them, and to his dangling watchchain." Ok got it. He is talking to his possessions on the table. "His hands plunged and rummaged in his trunk while he called for a clean handkerchief." Super, he is now digging around in his luggage looking for a clean handkerchief. now it gets strange.
"God, we'll simply have to dress the character. I want puce gloves and green boots. Contradiction. Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. Mercurial Malachi. A limp black missile flew out of his talking hands."
Who is saying this? Is it Buck? Talking about himself as a character? If so, I would think that there would be a dash to indicate dialogue. That's how its been so far. Or is it James Joyce talking to me, the reader, telling about how he is developing his character. What is the contradiction? puce gloves and green boots?
I don't even know what puce gloves are.
Ok, Puce is a dark red color.
I have decided that Buck is the one doing the talking. Seriously though, Quotation marks man!
"Mercurial Malachi" Another alliteration! I love 'em!
Leaving the tower, Buck: "And going forth he met Butterly," Maybe, I should have read the bible before diving in to this. Clever ass Buck as me going through bible websites. Confusing the heck out of Homeland Security I bet. Anyway this is a play off of the same book of Mathew but rather a previous chapter, when Peter realizes that he was a bad friend, realizing that he did indeed deny knowing Jesus, and rooster crowed and "he went forth and wept bitterly"
We finally are told the name of the tower, I should have been more patient
Buck and Stephen tell Haines they paid the secretary of state for war 12 quid to rent the tower
It was built by Billy Pitt when the french were on the sea, "But ours is the Omphalos"
Remember, The Omphalos is the pineapple bellybutton of the ancient Greeks collective great big wet universal ball.
Haines asks Stephen what he thinks about Hamlet? Buck cant handle that kind of talk sober, suggests they wait til his drunk first
Strange Dialogue:
"You couldn't Manage it under three pints, Kinch, could you?
"It has waited so long Stephen said listlessly, it can wait longer."
"Your Pique my curiosity, Hains said amiably. Is it some Paradox?"
I'll tell you what, I am going to wait and let this unfold, Good day, Sir.
Glossery
Puce Is this color Hex code CC8899
Mercurial - Someone who is subject to sudden or unpredictable moods. Also something that contains mercury. I would like to know if there is any kind of connection to the two.
Latin Quarter Hat - Quick google image shows me a mix of plan black hats, something you might see an Amish Man wearing, Floppy lady hats, and Berets. I thinking the black Amish hat in this case.
Ashplant - a walking stick from an ash tree
Other Things
The secretary of state for war - Don't yet know when this story takes place. This book, however, was written in 1920 which would give the honor to a fellow name Winston Churchill, he would later become a big deal in World War 2
Billy Pitt - William Pitt the Younger, son of William Pitt the Elder, the youngest prime minister Great Britain has ever had. Born 5/28/1759. Died 1/23/1806. A British Tory politician, I think the Torys Tories? They were the conservatives of the UK. Are they still a thing?
