Del’s Comments (group member since Dec 16, 2013)

Del’s comments from the James Joyce Reading Group group.

I just finished Chapter Six, after Leopold attended the funeral with Mr. Dedalus and the others. I am starting to see the Homeric parodies such as the flower motif in Episode Five and its relation to the lotuses in "The Odyssey". Loved how Joyce uses motifs, such as flowers in Episode Five and death in Episode Six. I briefly begun Episode Seven, this one seems the most experimental yet, done in newspaper style. Fascinating.

Finished Chapter Three after two days of reading, then re-reading certain parts. Though it is perhaps one of the most difficult things I have ever read, it is also the best part of the book so far. We get placed into the heart of Stephen's mind and we see the world through Stephen's eyes. Very interesting chapter, I must say. Started Chapter 4, which is much easier, a little bit of a break. But I haven't been defeated yet.

Yeah, I am halfway through Chapter 3 and I am having a difficult time picking up the book again. With the help of some Internet tools and previous knowledge, I am able to comprehend a lot of his meaning here though: the chapter is dedicated to an interior monologue in Stephen's head as he thinks about just about everything in his prior life and imagines certain scenarios and what not. Even though it is nearly incomprehensible, Joyce does a good job here of showing the train of thought, one thought leads into another through obscure associations. Well, anyways, better go barrel through it!

Hello, Joyce discussion group. This is my first time reading "Ulysses". I have previously read Joyce's earlier masterpiece "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", which I found excellent. "Ulysses" strikes me even more profoundly. I am now finished with the first two episodes "Telemachus" and "Nestor". There are several things that strike me about these chapters:
1. The breadth of knowledge Joyce is able to pull from, Joyce has a wide vocabulary of references to choose from.
2. The rawness of Joyce's portrayal of how we think and of his home country.
3. How well thought out each episode is.
4. His ability to revert from inner thoughts to outer dialogue with ease. (I suppose it has a lot to do with Joyce's whole message about perspective).

-What do you guys like most about Ulysses? Particularly the first two episodes.