Dubliners 1914, after 10 years delay James Joyce (1882 – 1941)

1. Dubliners 1914, after 10 years delayJames Joyce (1882 – 1941) • Intended as a moral chapter • Most stories were written when Joyce was 22; • 15 stories • “The Dead” as a crowning piece (at the age of 25)

2. The Movie version 1987Directed by John Huston (1906 –1987) • received 15 Oscar nominations, winning twice • directed both his father, Walter Huston, and daughter, Anjelica Huston to Oscar wins in different films.

3. The DeadJohn Huston’s “Swan Song” • The Dead is a 1987 film directed by John Huston, starring his daughter Anjelica Huston as Gretta. The Dead was the last film that Huston directed, and it was released posthumously. • "Huston directed the movie, at eighty, from a wheelchair, jumping up to look through the camera, with oxygen tubes trailing from his nose to a portable generator”

4. Swan Song • The phrase "swan song" is a reference to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, when it sings one beautiful song. • an idiom referring to a final theatrical or dramatic appearance, or any final work or accomplishment. It generally carries the connotation that the performer is aware that this is the last performance of his or her lifetime, and is expending everything in one magnificent final effort.

5. Aunt Julia’s Swan Song • Aunt Julia’s song, “Arrayed for the Bridal,” a colora’tura so’prano ‘aria, is ironic in that she is unmarried and, as Columbia’s Hurt suggests, “her only bridegroom is death” (Columbia “Arrayed” Lyrics). • Gabriel’s response: • Followed the sound without looking at her face • http://www.themodernword.com/joyce/joyce_paper_warren.html

6. Aunt Julia • Aunt Julia’s hair, drawn low over the tops of her ears, was grey; and grey also, with darker shadows, was her large flaccid face. Though she was stout in build and stood erect, her slow eyes and parted lips gave her the appearance of a woman who did not know where she was or where she was going.

7. Background • Joyce completed this story in Rome in 1907; it was the last to be written. Because of the content of some of the dialogue in the story, we can assume it took place in the first week of January in 1904, probably between January 2nd (Saturday) and January 6th (Wednesday). The characters speak of the party as taking place after New Year's Eve but still during Christmas time, which would last until January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany (Twelfth Night). The date of 1904 is accepted because they talk about Pope Pius X's recent (November,1903) Motu ‘Proprio. --Wallace Gray

8. Ellmann’s Essay online • Biographical approach contributes to interpretations • Karen DiYanni’s example in her analysis of Kafka; • Richard Ellmann --A revised edition of the biography was published in 1982. He edited My Brother's Keeper; by Stanislaus Joyce, and was co-editor with Ellsworth Mason of The Critical Writings of James Joyce. Read Ellmann online.

9. The Feast of Epiphany • Epiphany (from Koine Greek (ἡ) ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia "appearance", "manifestation") is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus Christ. It falls on 6 January or, in many countries, on the Sunday that falls between 2 January and 8 January.

10. Epiphany, a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience. • The Greek tradition • The climactic moment when a god appears and imposes order on the scene as in Greek dramas • The Christian tradition • a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.

11. Decode the TitleAllusion & a Method • One of the most popular and well-known books of poetry at the time was Thomas Moore's Irish Melodies, written during the period 1807-34. It is generally conceded that the title of this story comes from a poem in that volume. • Robert Scholes’ essay: “Counterparts and the Method of Dubliners” online (as warrant, something authoritative); • Counterpoint as a method of music composition; • Wei’s theory: the law of the shadow

12. Counterpoint • In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent. It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period, especially in Baroque music. The term originates from the Latin punctus contra punctum meaning "point against point".

13. Colonialism & ColonizationLoss of IndependenceEspecially a spiritual one • Colonialism in Ireland • Joyce’s works were written at the peak of Irish nationalism to search for an identity, national as well as personal; • Irish nationalism as represented by Molly Ivors, an intellectual equal to Gabriel; • Colonization in other forms (a much more generalized concept) • By an idea (The Tipping Point); • By a religion; • By cultural practice; • By political party lines; • By habits • By drugs…

14. “Signatures of all things, I am here to read.” James Joyce, Ulyless To read means to question, to interpret, to make inferences Joyce at 50

15. Lily 158Literary Reasoning is associativewith its additional information embodied in its diction;These associations are directional and intentional; • Easter Lily: resurrection, rebirth; • Flowers used at a funeral, hence associated with death, • Associated with the Archangel Gabriel • Lily of the Valley or Madonna lily in Renaissance art • The Virgin’s chaste purity at the Annunciation

16. Archangel is a term meaning an angel of high rank. Gabriel is named an archangel in the Holy Bible's New Testament book, Luke. Gabriel, traditionally named as an archangel, delivering the Annunciation. Painting by Paolo de Matteis, 1712. Lily & Gabriel

17. Lily’s ‘solecism (Showing mode in writing, indirect, suggestive, subtler)a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage • Lily…was literally run off her feet. • Here the narrator has adopted Lily’s style of speaking; • 159: Gabriel noticed right away that Lily added one syllable to Gabriel’s last name—Conoroy—instead of Conroy; • 160: poor grammar in her speech;

18. Subtle Suggestivenessat the level of diction in literary reasoning • Morke means “darkness” in Danish; • The dark gaunt (of places, bleak or desolate) house; • Toddling: tod in German means “death”; • Usher Island, an ordinary Liffeyside (River Liffey in Dublin means a river of life) quay or a wharf, a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.

19. River LiffeyThe Liffey (An Life in Irish) is a river in Ireland

20. Showing vs. Telling in narrative • The first paragraph is an example of scene writing in which narrative is more descriptive; • Note the parallel structure in the last sentence--158; • The second paragraph is an example of narration executed in the telling mode: more summative, offering more background information about the annual dance;

21. Parallel structure 158and rhyme • Miss Kate and Miss Julia were there, gossiping and laughing and fussing, walking after each other to the head of the stairs, peering down over the banisters and calling down to Lily to ask her who had come.

22. Point & Supporting PointDeveloping an idea in writing • 158: Thought their life was modest they believed in eating well. (a topic sentence that summarizes the main idea at a more general level. • Further developing the idea by evidence: more specific— • 1. diamond-bone sirloins; • 2. three-shilling tea; • 3. best bottled stout (a dark, sweet brew)

23. What are you eating?

24. Lily’s ‘solecismShowing vs. Telling • 159: “back answers” means “retort” • Register in language usage: Register in Linguistics refers to a variety of language typically used in a specific type of communicative setting: an informal register; the register of scientific discourse, etc.;

25. Hy’perbole or exaggeration • 159: …and that was what brought them every two minutes to the banishers to ask Lily had Gabriel or Freddy come. • Rhetorical effect: intensification of anticipation; • Understatement: • the act or an instance of stating something in restrained terms, or as less than it is • Less for more • Understatement is a staple of humor in English-speaking cultures, especially in British humor.

26. Three mortal hours 159Killing two birds with one stone • Mortal reminds us of mortality, of death, • Simultaneously it reveals something about Gretta, a woman who could spend a long time dressing up, getting ready for a party like this; • Showing vs. telling

27. Kate and Julia came toddling down…159 • Tod in German means “death”; • Subtly suggesting death is part of our life; around the corner, could happen any time; • In the meantime, it suggests the two aunts are getting old;

28. A is as right as B 159 • Irish mail is punctual; • A touch of irony: since Gabriel showed up late for the party; • Undercutting his credibility; • Plus, he called out from the dark…

29. Galoshes/Goloshes & Frieze 159 • Goloshes as a text: • Gretta’s reading; • Aunt Julia’s reading; • Gabriel’s attitude; • Goloshes as a metaphor: how to take care of ourselves? • Frieze: a heavy woolen fabric with a rough surface,

30. Faux pas for False Step • A faux pas (pronounced /ˌfoʊˈpɑː/, plural: faux pas /ˌfoʊˈpɑː(z)/) is a violation of accepted social norms (for example, standard customs or etiquette rules). Faux pas vary widely from culture to culture, and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another. The term comes originally from French, and literally means "false step".

31. Faux pas for False Step • This expression is usually used in social and diplomatic contexts. The term has been in use in English for some time and is no longer italicized when written. In French, it is employed literally to describe a physical loss of balance as well as figuratively, in which case the meaning is roughly the same as in English. Other familiar synonyms include gaffe and bourde (bourde, unlike faux pas, can designate any type of mistake).

32. Innocent but insensitive • Innocent moves • Gabriel asked Lily in a friendly tone (160) • Habitual response to a situation, calloused by one’s profession; • The second question is stereotyping, assuming a young girl, once out of school, will marry someone; • Unintended consequences • Lack of empathy of how others feel; • The assumption is made from Gabriel’s perspective since he is an teacher; • Naturally he will ask questions about schools

33. Lily’s Paralysis • Lily got stuck where she is: poorly educated, doing a low-paying job; • Paralyzed by her failed romance; • Hasty generalization about men, about love, about relationships; • One bad experience can’t stand for all;

34. Their grade of culture differed from his. 161 • Robert Browning (7 May 1812 – 12 December 1889) was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.

35. Dramatic Irony • Dramatic irony involves the reader (or audience) knowing something about what's happening in the plot, about which the character(s) have no knowledge. Dramatic irony can be used in comedies and tragedies, and it works to engage the reader, as one is drawn into what is happening. The audience may sympathize with the character, who does not know the true situation. Or, the reader may see the character as blind or ignorant (as with Oedipus). The clues may be rather obvious, but the character may be unwilling to recognize the truth.

36. to gather or contract (a soft surface such as the skin of the face) into wrinkles or folds, or (of such a surface) to be so gathered or contracted 2. a wrinkle, crease, or irregular fold Puckers and Creases 161

37. Cadence 161 Note h • Cadence refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words

38. Their favorite nephew 161 • Gabriel’s only rival is his brother, the priest, who did not appear at the party • Significant by his absence;

39. Viand and Sweets 164 • Joyce's use of this rather dramatic, uncommon term for "food" raises interesting questions. Unlike "food" it derives from the Latin vivere (to live), but if it is an example of stylistic inflection it is not clear which character would use such a word -- perhaps Mr. Browne or the caretaker? The repetition of the equally formal term "sideboard" may suggest a banquet (or funeral) setting of an earlier time.

40. Pansy 165 • Probably a combination of purple, yellow and white after the flower Viola tricolor (also called "heartsease"!), this red-faced woman -- do we ever find our her name? -- dressed in pansy seems the antidote to Mr. Browne, and perhaps to the funereal tempo of the evening as well.

41. Phoenix Park MurdersThomas Henry Burke & Lord Frederick Cavandish, May 6th, 1882

42. Zeugma 165 • –noun Grammar, Rhetoric . • the use of a word to modify or govern two or more words when it is appropriate to only one of them or is appropriate to each but in a different way, as in to wage war and peace  or On his fishing trip, he caught three trout and a cold.

43. Oxymoron 165 • a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.” • Freddy is a young man of about forty. • Though 40 years old, Freddy is not mature intellectually or emotionally;

44. RIAM 166Royal Irish Academy of Music • http://www.riam.ie/homepage.html

45. The Judgment of Paris

46. James Joyce vs. Homer • Though the most stable character in Dubliners, Gabriel sounds somewhat suicidal to some readers when meditating on his wife’s young lover’s early death: • “Better pass boldly into that other world, in the full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age” (Dubliners 224). This is the crux of the whole text. • The allusion/reference to “that other world” as the realm of spirits recalls the scene in Homer’s Odyssey, where the ghost of Achilles addresses Odysseus: “Better, I say, to break sod as a farm hand for some poor countryman, on iron rations, than lord it over all the exhausted dead” (Odyssey 201).

47. Achilles chose to die young but in glory His mother warned him if he went to war, he would die young; Achilles’mother hid the youth in a girl’s dress; The allusion/reference to “that other world” as the realm of spirits recalls the scene in Homer’s Odyssey, where the ghost of Achilles addresses Odysseus: “Better, I say, to break sod as a farm hand for some poor countryman, on iron rations, than lord it over all the exhausted dead” (Odyssey 201). Two Value Codes

48. Is Gabriel Suicidal?Could You Write a Sequel to The Dead? • For the most part, their existence together seems dull as revealed in the text; • Is the life of Gabriel and Gretta worse than what Gretta would have had with Michael then? • What does it take to recover from a discovery like Gabriel makes? Could Gabriel overcome his paralysis and go on?

49. James Joyce’s Delicate Balance • Flip-flop Symbols, Tropes & Metaphors throughout: • Lily: Flowers used for funerals; but Easter symbolizes the Resurrection of the dead; • Incongruity: between the title, “The Dead” and time of the party, the high point of the Christmas / New Year celebration & the time for the feast of epiphany. • West: an established trope for death in the Western Literature: “The time had come for him to set out on his journey westward” (Dubliners 225). But The West also represents the true Ireland, and the home country of Gabriel’s wife, Gretta—who wants to vacation there.

50. List of deaths of family members, relatives, & friends in The Dead: _______________; _______________; _______________; _______________; _______________; List of deaths in fiction, plays, ballads, songs & paintings: _______________; _______________; _______________; _______________; _______________; Death Weighs Heavily ThroughoutFramed by The Sisters & The Dead