Notes of the 23^rd of March 2012

T. S. Eliot defined the “Mythical method” in a review (Ulysses, Order, and Myth (1923) about James Joyce’s Ulysses, appeared in the magazine “The Dial”. He wrote the article because readers considered Ulysses obscure, while Joyce’s novel is simply revolutionary. Mr. Joyce used the myth to give unity and a significance to different episodes. He borrowed the myth from Homer.

Episode 18 is about Mythical method and Joyce’s technique. The reader is confused and has to cooperate with the text. There is a monologue about Gabriel’s thoughts that begins with a reference to China. Time is the main topic: it’s a crossword, in the first part of the monologue.

For presenting one novel’s episode we have to:

-        set the episode on the novel;

-        define the novel’s genre;

-        specify the thematic nucleus of the episode;

-        specify the narrative technique used and the reason for its use

-        clarify our ideas through a list for organizing our talk.

For presenting a concept we have to give:

1)     definition

2)     its author

3)     contextualization

The “moment of beings” are moments of perception, moments of full awareness.

In Dubliners Joyce has arranged together a group of stories (each group has a different theme), The dead refers to the theme of public life. Indeed Gabriel, the protagonist of the novel, has to hold a speech during the party. Gabriel would like to escape like Evelyn, but he doesn’t escape. Evelyn and Gabriel aren’t the same at all, because Gabriel has an Epiphany while Evelyn hasn’t it.

Epiphany is the revelation of Jesus Christ in Mary’s body so he’s the representation of God in the Earth. Epiphany is brought by Joyce in literature. He studied with Jesuits getting a deep religious culture.

Gabriel has the Epiphany (he discovers to be lost), while his wife hasn’t it. He has two different epiphany: when he hears his aunt counting and he thinks she will die; when he sees Gretta changing her mood and becoming upset when she listen to the song. She’s going down the stairs, like a diva.

Gabriel feels the Epiphany because he’s a highly cultured man, and culture, according to Joyce, allows man to see reality. Gabriel understand he can’t love his wife, because he has not the same passion for her of Michael.

The difference between moment of being and Epiphany is that in the second one the consciousness is deeper.