This weekend marks the beginning of my first attempt at Ulysses in two years and I am surprisingly less confused this time around. Essentially, 'Telemachus' functions to establsih Stephen's character in contrast to those around him. Dedalus comes across as proud and stoic, compared to the jovial Buck Mulligan whose behavior, although joyful seems almost crass to the reader. Mulligan lacks the composure and reservation of Haines and Dedalus who, themselves, are very different. Haines attitude seems born of confidence and a sense of entitlement while Stephen is represented as an alien in his own home. The presentation of this dynamic between the roommates seems organic, allowing the reader to observe their mundane breakfast and take away more information than is explicitly stated. The interaction between Buck Mulligan and the old milk maid is especially significant; he is kind and conversational with her, but at the same time he seems somewhat obnoxious and perhaps even patronizing. Buck Mulligan is your obnoxious friend at the diner who insists on joking with the waitress every time she comes to the table; at this, Stephen seems uncomfortable, as if he indentifies with the old woman more than with Mulligan and Haines.
Though I feel that I am grasping much more this time around, I am still a bit confused about the narrative voice. At times the narrator seems to slip into the first person with 'I' statements and it seems to be the voice of Stephen, however he is is reffered to in the third person in dialogue and narration. I am also curious about the role of the 'Joking Jesus' poem and Haines' question to Stephen about being a believer. Judging by his response, Stephen feels conflicted over his Catholocism, but thus far Ulysses has yet to present a character who seems to be a legitimate believer.
1 comment:
Your comment on the first chapter of Ulysses usefully gives your impressions of the various, sharply drawn, characterizations. You also note that the narrative voice can be a bit confusing, inasmuch as it slips out of Joyce's voice and into the thoughts of various characters. Normally in fiction this would be a mistake, confusing the reader as to who's point of view s/he should follow most closely. But Joyce's "collage"-type technique... starting with Stephen and moving to Bloom, shifts the focus away from linear storytelling. He is depicting a multifaceted world, not telling a story. In fact, as we will see in chapter seven in particular, he frustrates the reader who wants a story. Keep going.
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