Oop, The young man is not dead after all. All that talk of drowned man threw a curveball at me. We find Buck gossiping with a new character.
I think, maybe, this page might give me a break.
Kinch and Haines approach Buck and the young man conversing about mutually acquainted names. First, Bucks brother who is in Westmeath with the Bannons. The young man, who calls Buck by his first name, got a card from Bannon saying he found a sweet young thing whom he calls Photo Girl. They move on to Seymour, who is back in town. He "chucked" medicine, decided on the army and was caught spooning with the "Red Carlisle Girl, Lily"
Names are weird, and so fascinating! A fast and innate way of learning about people. A name displays a your relationship with someone. It can tell you where someone is from. What religion their family is associated with. Not to mention what their ancestors occupation was hundreds of years ago. Why do you think there are so many Smiths?
Throughout this page, It seems to me, there is a lot attention brought to Bucks undressing before he jumps into the stream with the still unnamed young man.
"Buck Mulligan sat down to unlace his boots. An elderly man shot up near the spur of rock a blowing red face. He scrambled up by the stones, water glistening on his pate and on its garland of grey hair, water rilling over his chest and paunch and spilling jets out of his black sagging loincloth.
Buck Mulligan made way for him to scramble past and glancing at Haines and Stephen, Crossed himself piously with his thumbnail at brow, and lips and breast bone"
I haven't a clue what that old man's problem was, other just being a dusty old fart. Although, I do know a bit about that little thing the old man did, I don't recall the name of it, but Catholics do it before the gospel, that's when the priest reads from the bible. If I remember correctly, you do the sign of the cross with your thumb on your forehead, in front of your brain, which means, "know/learn know the truth." Then, you do the same thing on lips, meaning "speak the truth" and then finally on your chest, over your heart meaning "live the truth". Funny thing, I don't actually remember there being an actual lesson about that, I think our teacher just told us that in passing. That's the thing with catholic theatrics, they we ring the bells, do the ridiculous standing-sitting-knelling-genuflecting-gymnastics and the purpose isn't widely known, at least it wasn't back in my time. Things maybe different now.
Buck Mulligan made way for him to scramble past and glancing at Haines and Stephen, Crossed himself piously with his thumbnail at brow, and lips and breast bone"
I haven't a clue what that old man's problem was, other just being a dusty old fart. Although, I do know a bit about that little thing the old man did, I don't recall the name of it, but Catholics do it before the gospel, that's when the priest reads from the bible. If I remember correctly, you do the sign of the cross with your thumb on your forehead, in front of your brain, which means, "know/learn know the truth." Then, you do the same thing on lips, meaning "speak the truth" and then finally on your chest, over your heart meaning "live the truth". Funny thing, I don't actually remember there being an actual lesson about that, I think our teacher just told us that in passing. That's the thing with catholic theatrics, they we ring the bells, do the ridiculous standing-sitting-knelling-genuflecting-gymnastics and the purpose isn't widely known, at least it wasn't back in my time. Things maybe different now.
I just looked it up. I'm... basically right. The Catholic website that Google brought me too, threw a little bit more flavor into it, but whatever.
Back to the boys conversation, they're still talking about Seymour and redheaded Lily. Buck asks if "she is up the pool?" I assume that means being pregnant. The young man doesn't know.
In typical crass locker room talk, maybe in this case a bit more clever, Buck Mulligan "Nodded to himself as he drew off his trousers and stood up, saying tritely: "Redheaded women buck like goats".
So, this makes me think. First the obvious, it's not a great stretch of mind, to change one four letter word for another, and get new meaning. Second, I'm thinking Buck, might be a little egocentric, He's already proved his wit, and will continue to do so throughout the page. He might have found a fine opportunity, to sneak his name into an insult. I guess that is a bit of a stretch, but like I said, that is where my mind went. Third, redheads are bad tempered is one of the oldest stereotypes I have heard. I'm not sure what my opinion is of it though, aside from I'm quite positive that hair color has no direct effect on a person's temperament. Now, that isn't to say, you might not grow up mean as dog if you have spent your whole life being picked on for having red hair.
Back to the boys conversation, they're still talking about Seymour and redheaded Lily. Buck asks if "she is up the pool?" I assume that means being pregnant. The young man doesn't know.
In typical crass locker room talk, maybe in this case a bit more clever, Buck Mulligan "Nodded to himself as he drew off his trousers and stood up, saying tritely: "Redheaded women buck like goats".
So, this makes me think. First the obvious, it's not a great stretch of mind, to change one four letter word for another, and get new meaning. Second, I'm thinking Buck, might be a little egocentric, He's already proved his wit, and will continue to do so throughout the page. He might have found a fine opportunity, to sneak his name into an insult. I guess that is a bit of a stretch, but like I said, that is where my mind went. Third, redheads are bad tempered is one of the oldest stereotypes I have heard. I'm not sure what my opinion is of it though, aside from I'm quite positive that hair color has no direct effect on a person's temperament. Now, that isn't to say, you might not grow up mean as dog if you have spent your whole life being picked on for having red hair.
I have heard plenty of people verbally declare how much they hate gingers. I'm sure it started as a joke for some, but the last few years have taught me, joke or not, anything you say will be taken a way you did not intent or anticipate. I don't have red hair though.
Changing subjects now, We're taking a break from God and his hand delivered package of meanings and purposes for a sunny Spaziergang to Nihilism.
"He (Buck) broke off in alarm, feeling his side under his flapping shirt
-My twelfth rib is gone, He cried. I'm the Uebermensh. Toothless Kinch and I the supermen.
He struggled out of his shirt and flung it behind him to where his clothes lay.
More of Buck undressing.
But here is the fun part.
Changing subjects now, We're taking a break from God and his hand delivered package of meanings and purposes for a sunny Spaziergang to Nihilism.
"He (Buck) broke off in alarm, feeling his side under his flapping shirt
-My twelfth rib is gone, He cried. I'm the Uebermensh. Toothless Kinch and I the supermen.
He struggled out of his shirt and flung it behind him to where his clothes lay.
More of Buck undressing.
But here is the fun part.
First thing's first, the spelling. I'm not sure why it is spell this way, maybe it's an anglicized spelling, or may a small kind of indication of an Irish accent, although as I just typed that, I realized that's not very likely.
So what is the Ueber/Übermensch? Nietzsche came up with this thing and wrote a book called Also Sprach Zarathustra which would eventually be translated to Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
So what is the Ueber/Übermensch? Nietzsche came up with this thing and wrote a book called Also Sprach Zarathustra which would eventually be translated to Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
Dealing with Translations. One of the first monkey wrenches of going from one language to the next is the idea that one language's"X" = another language's "X". A whole lot of history and culture go into a word and its meaning, which can not be necessary explained with a simple word-to-word translation. Perfect example is Übermensch, Über is one of those words, that has a lot of meanings, depending on context, but in this case über translates to something along the likes of over, above, or beyond. However, a very capable translator named Thomas Common, made the unfortunate decision to translate it as "Superman", and yeah, technically, "Super" does fit, but it has a different meaning to us English speakers than it does our German friends. "Super"actually undersells the meaning that Nietzsche had in mind. And of course, whats the first person that comes to mind when you hear Superman? Anyway, nowadays, its pretty common place to just use the original German term, and I think most people get it. It's the same as when you're talking about Frankenstein, everybody knows you mean "Frankenstein's monster".
If you're one of those people who feels like they have to correct Frankenstein to Frankenstein's monster, please stop.
Anyway..Übermensch/Overperson is, I would call it, a state of mind. It contrasts with the idea of world beyond ours like Heaven. His character Zarathustra says that it is the will of the Übermensch, forget about the hope of a reward of heaven, and to give meaning to life on earth. Zarathustra goes on telling his followers to ignore the people that promise fulfillment outside of earth, like heaven and such. He continues to explain that people have a bad habit of ignoring the world they live in because, they are dissatisfied with their lives, and when you're dissatisfied, you imagine another would that promises to fix all the problems you have in your current life. The Übermensch says "To heck with all that jazz, I'm grabbing life by the balls, and living like there's not tomorrow". It gets more involved as you go.
Of course, unfortunately, you cant bring up most famous old German stuff with out Nazism sticking its ugly nose in. Übermensch has also been associated with some unfortunate things like Euginics, Hitler took Übermensch thing in racial direction and used it as a basis of his master race garbage.
"My twelfth rib is gone, He cried. I'm the Uebermensh. Toothless Kinch and I the supermen."
This grabbed me, I'm the Uebermensh. Toothless Kinch and I the supermen.
I'm the Uebermensh
Toothless Kinch
and I the supermen
I don't know what I'm doing.
AAAAANyway, I gotta make a confession, I peeked at a website, that has already done all of the hard work, and if it grabs you, you should go to www.joyceproject.com and follow along with that instead. They know what their doing. But, I'll stay and fumble my way through.
"My twelfth rib is gone, He cried. I'm the Uebermensh. Toothless Kinch and I the supermen." this was throwing me through a loop, and they explained it pretty well. The missing rib is of course referencing Adam. He had to donate a rib, for a girlfriend. But what connection does that have to Übermensch? Well, if Buck is missing a rib, that would make him Adam, or simply just a dude, a guy who will never live up to his dad's standards. Although. he declares that he is the Übermensch, the Ideal Person. The one that will succeed in overcoming the Christanity's choke-hold over humanity. Kind of a Bizarro-Jesus if you will. A teacher that says life on earth is what is living for and not a story of heaven. So, if I understand it, Buck is being classic buck, slinging blasphemies but also humorously acknowledging that he is still just a dude, wadding through his own big wet ball.
Stephen the Stoic announces that he is leaving, tells the guys that he is heading out, But not before we continue on with the drama over the key.
Buck asks for the key, "to keep his chemise flat". This key is in the running for the most compelling character in the book so far. Stephen gives it to Buck who lays in it on his clothes. (keeping his chemise flat). Of course Buck squeezes another "twopense"out him.
Twopence= Two pennies
"Stephen threw two pennies on the soft heap."
Jame Joyce, you little sneak! You just taught me what meaning of a "twopence". I'll have to be more careful in the future.
Still undressing, By the way...
"Mulligan erect, with hands joined before him, said solemnly: "He who stealeth from the poor lendeth to the lord. Thus spake Zarathurstra"
This is a another blasphemous take on the bible, it comes from Proverbs 19:17. "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given, He will repay him again."
Finally, after a full page of tiny details of his disrobing, "Bucks plump body plunged". Should I read more into this? Is this some type of foreshadowing to a kind of Baptism? I do no know.
Jame Joyce, you little sneak! You just taught me what meaning of a "twopence". I'll have to be more careful in the future.
Still undressing, By the way...
"Mulligan erect, with hands joined before him, said solemnly: "He who stealeth from the poor lendeth to the lord. Thus spake Zarathurstra"
This is a another blasphemous take on the bible, it comes from Proverbs 19:17. "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given, He will repay him again."
Finally, after a full page of tiny details of his disrobing, "Bucks plump body plunged". Should I read more into this? Is this some type of foreshadowing to a kind of Baptism? I do no know.
Haines and Stephen, Say their see you laters and Stephen heads back up the path. leaving the scene.
I take that back. Haines says his see you later, but Stephen has nothing to say to him.
Seemingly out of nowhere: "Horn of a bull, hoof of a horse, smile of a Saxon". My first thought was this is maybe some kind of Celtic folklore god, with a little bit of British wordplay. Indeed I was mistaken. It's actually a bit more sinister than that. It is actually, a true Irish saying, maybe a variation, but still driving home the same point. "Beware of three things, the horn of a bull, hoof of a horse and the smile of a Saxon.
Meaning: We do not trust Haines, that dodgy Englishman.
While the Irish Stephen is still in earshot, Mulligan yells: "The Ship, Half twelve". Stay tuned for that.
Stephen makes his way along the upwardcurving path.
Out of nowhere:
"
Liliata rutilantium
Turma Circumdet
Inbuilantium te virginum The priest grey nimbus in a niche whete he dress discreetly. I will not sleep here tonight. Home I also cannot go."
Liliata rutilantium- Inspire the stars shining
Turma Circumdet- Company circumdentur
Iubilantium te virginum - Iubilantes Virgin Mary
I have no idea.
Characters
Young man - An acquaintance of Buck Mulligan, Hangs out in creeks.
Bannon - Found a sweet young thing in Westmeath.
Elderly man - Catholic. Doesn't like swimming with other people. Dusty old fart.
Photo girl - "A sweet young thing" found by Bannon.
Seymour- Used to study medicine but decided to go to the army instead.
Lily - Red Carlisle girl, was spooning with Seymour at the pier, Her father is rotto with money
I take that back. Haines says his see you later, but Stephen has nothing to say to him.
Seemingly out of nowhere: "Horn of a bull, hoof of a horse, smile of a Saxon". My first thought was this is maybe some kind of Celtic folklore god, with a little bit of British wordplay. Indeed I was mistaken. It's actually a bit more sinister than that. It is actually, a true Irish saying, maybe a variation, but still driving home the same point. "Beware of three things, the horn of a bull, hoof of a horse and the smile of a Saxon.
Meaning: We do not trust Haines, that dodgy Englishman.
While the Irish Stephen is still in earshot, Mulligan yells: "The Ship, Half twelve". Stay tuned for that.
Stephen makes his way along the upwardcurving path.
Out of nowhere:
"
Liliata rutilantium
Turma Circumdet
Inbuilantium te virginum The priest grey nimbus in a niche whete he dress discreetly. I will not sleep here tonight. Home I also cannot go."
Liliata rutilantium- Inspire the stars shining
Turma Circumdet- Company circumdentur
Iubilantium te virginum - Iubilantes Virgin Mary
I have no idea.
Characters
Young man - An acquaintance of Buck Mulligan, Hangs out in creeks.
Bannon - Found a sweet young thing in Westmeath.
Elderly man - Catholic. Doesn't like swimming with other people. Dusty old fart.
Photo girl - "A sweet young thing" found by Bannon.
Seymour- Used to study medicine but decided to go to the army instead.
Lily - Red Carlisle girl, was spooning with Seymour at the pier, Her father is rotto with money
Glossary
Chucked - British slang for giving up on a job.
Rotto - In Italian, it means broken. In this case, its means bad, drunk, lousy, Irresponsible
Chemise - French for shirt, Lady's undergarments, or a priest's preaching garments
Rilling - Flowing in a small stream.
"Up the poll" - Whole lot of things, in this case, being pregnant.
Circumdentur - Third-person plural present passive subjunctive of Circumdo
Circumdo -"I surround"
Lubilantes - plural for "shouting for joy"
Places
Westmeath - A county right smack dab in the middle of Ireland. Originally it was part of the Kingdom of Meath. Also home of current school teacher, artist and former Miss Ireland,Nuala Holloway
Places
Westmeath - A county right smack dab in the middle of Ireland. Originally it was part of the Kingdom of Meath. Also home of current school teacher, artist and former Miss Ireland,Nuala Holloway
