Chapter One Summary and Analysis

1. Chapter One Summary and Analysis by Esperanza Barba, Ashlyn Martin, Arturo Chairez, Alejandra Flores Banuelos, Gregory Taylor, Dillan Hoban, and Caroline Orleanskaia

2. Chapter one begins with a very short description of some of Stephen’s earliest memories and has traces of baby talk in it. The next section shows Stephen going to Clongowes Wood College as a young boy. He does not like school, is made fun of by some of the older boys, and wishes he could go home. He gets sick and goes to the infirmary. Then Stephen is back at home and having Christmas dinner with the adults. The evening is marred, however, by a large argument over politics and religion between Dante, his father, and Mr Casey that Stephen doesn’t understand. His mind drifts and he thinks about a little Protestant girl named Eileen. Later, Stephen is back at school, and he and some other students gossip about two boys who got in trouble and try to guess what they did. Next Stephen is in writing class, and later Latin class. In Latin, Father Arnall, the teacher, gets really mad at the class, and then at a boy named Fleming. Father Arnall calls in Father Dolan to punish Fleming. Father Dolan doesn’t stop after Fleming though, and beats Stephen for not doing his work, even though Stephen is excused from his work because his glasses are broken. After being wrongfully beaten, Stephen is outraged and the other boys convince him to tell the rector. Stephen does, even though he is scared of being beaten again. However, the rector is very understanding and Stephen goes back to the other boys and is accepted as a schoolyard hero.

3. Chapter one explores Stephen’s growth from an infant to a boy and follows him through school. Stephen is a highly observant boy who explores and learns using his senses, which help him make connections between the unknown and the familiar. The detailed descriptions also help the reader to more fully experience what Stephen experiences and to be better immersed into the story through Stephen’s eyes.

4. “Then he heard the noise of the refectory every time he opened the flaps of his ears. It made a roar like a train going into a tunnel… It was nice to hear it roar and stop and then roar out of the tunnel again and the stop” (pg 10).

5. “Fleming had a box of crayons and one night during free study he had coloured the earth green and the clouds maroon. That was like the two brushes in Dante’s press, the brush with the green velvet back for Parnell and the Brush with the maroon velvet back for Michael Davitt” (p12).

6. “There was a cold night smell in the chapel. But it was a holy smell. I was not like the smell of the old peasants who knelt at the back of the chapel at Sunday mass. That was a smell of air and rain and turf and corduroy” (pg 14).

7. Fenianism, or the Fenian movement, was an Irish revolutionary movement which developed in communities of Irish immigrants in the United States in the mid-1800s. The movement also had a strong component in France, and, of course, in Ireland. When Mr. Casey talks about the renouncing of the fenian movement by the Catholic Church he is referring to “a militant nationalist group, established in Dublin” which was “put down by forces of the crown and the church”.

8. Around the time Joyce was born, the Irish nationalist Charles Stewart Parnell was spearheading the movement for Irish independence. In 1890, however, Parnell's long standing affair with a married woman was exposed, leading the Catholic Church to condemn him and causing many of his former followers to turn against him. Many Irish nationalists blamed Parnell's death, which occurred only a year later, on the Catholic Church. Indeed, we see these strong opinions about Parnell surface in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man during an emotional Christmas dinner argument among members of the Dedalus family. By 1900, the Irish people felt largely united in demanding freedom from British rule. In A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the young Stephen's friends at University College frequently confront him with political questions about this struggle between Ireland and England.

9. He lived in San Francisco, California until his death in 1861. There he was unable to re-establish his career. His body was returned to Dublin for burial, where the Fenians gave him a large funeral in honor of his part in the rebellion. Terence Bellew MacManus was a radical Irish rebel who participated in the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848. Sentenced to death for treason, he and several other participants were given commuted sentences in 1849 and transported for life to Van Diemen's Land in Australia. Three years later in 1852, MacManus escaped and emigrated to the United States.

10. Sir William Rowan Hamilton was an Irish physicist, astronomer, and mathematician, who made important contributions to classical mechanics, optics, and algebra. Rowan was an Irish patriot who fled to the castle after his conviction in 1794 for sedition. As part of his escape, he threw his hat as a decoy on the haha, "a fence or hedge or wall set in a ditch."

11. Lord Leitrim's coachman is a reference to a coachman that saved his english lord from a bunch of his Irish compatriots. He cared about his Master more than their cause. So in this novel "Lord Leitrim’s coachman" is used as a term to describe a traitor to the cause. He founded the predominantly Catholic Land League to redistribute farmland. Gradually, he became head of a political group that included nationalists of all sorts from moderates to militant revolutionaries.

12. Similar to the issues they faced, today we have separate parties but instead of Nationalists, and those who except outside cultures we have other parties. We have democrats and republicans, who differ on opinions on what our government should have control over like Michael Davitt wanting a socialist government. We also have many people that believe the US should be more isolationist and many that believe we should continue on our current route of expanding and interacting with many foreign cultures. We also have a lot of disputes and turmoil in our country because of so many opposite cultures and ideas all coming together in one place. Irish are similar, in that many people come together with extremely strong and different opinions, and as this novel shows it can often cause chaos.

13. As a baby, Stephen learns to want “good” and fear “bad.” His first encounter with the balance between the two opposites was in his early days by soiling the bed. He finds out the result of such an innocent action is discomforting and “bad,” as also perceived by adolescent Stephen. The next event, his mother cleaning up the mess, bring relief to the young Stephen. The canvas is new and he has another chance to not spoil the bed. Later in life, this association develops into the “light” versus “dark” motif and the “warm” versus “cold” motif. From the beginning of his confusing and fragmented life, Stephen has begun to associate warm with feelings of comfort and cold with moments of distraught. Alone outside, Stephen has no escape from the new world he’s been rudely tossed into, as he stands there “in the cold.” He feels nervous and anxious, craving what he knows yet being bombarded with bullies and strange alien boys. He longs for the “warmth” of the castle; he knows he would be safe, curled up with his delight of words and a false reality to enter from the evil world around him. His associations continue through the chapter showing his strong dislike of “cold” and desire for “warm.”

14. In Stephen’s unnatural surroundings, Stephen sees the castle as “light,” a sense of relief from the unfamiliarity around him to go read some books and feel the world through his favorite medium: books, music and art. Even when the world seems against him, he wakes up in the infirmity, still sick, but conscious of the “weaker cold.” The sunshine shows he’s conquered his fear of possibly dying, as many little kids fear with every little cough or injury, and is excited of the upcoming Christmas dinner with his family. Contrasting that excitement, comes the torment of classes, with the strict Catholic priests as teachers. When Fleming is punished by a furious Father Arnell, Stephen sees his face as “black-looking.” Fear comes not over Fleming but Stephen too for the upcoming paddling. He fears the consequence, showing dark as equal to evil or bad.

15. Starting school has never been a completely positive experience for some people: the nervousness, the strangers, the harsh contrast from home and Stephen’s start was not much different. He could still hear his parents call goodbye, while he’s surrounded “in a whirl of scrimmage,” showing the start of a dog eat dog world. He struggles to find a place as he remains “fearful of flashing eyes and muddy boots.” He refuses to join in, instead lusting after such courage and choice those boys had, criticizing himself for his own” weak” body and eyes. Unable to cope in his new surrounding, he, inside, turns inward, attacking his body, spirit and therefore destroying his self-confidence. He even refuses to defend himself from the bully, as he baptized into the new cruel world by being pushing into putrid water, as he feels like he deserves it. He’s different; he feels he deserves it for his lack of belonging. However, the sudden turn of the prefect of studies allies him with his old enemies, even the bullies. After he faces down his inner conflict of facing the rector, he is greeted by triumph cries and cheers. “Hurroo! Hurroo!” He temporarily belongs as he displays his heroic side, but as the chapter ends, the dramatic irony dawns on the reader. Did Stephen truly win the respect of the boys or was delight at the temporary suppression of evil?

16. “Stephen DedalusClass of elements Clongowes Wood College Sallins County Kildare Ireland Europe The World The Universe” (pg 12) As Steven reads what he has written in his book, he considers his identity. Even as a young age, we see Steven is curious about his own self worth.

17. “He told them what he had said and what the rector had said and, when he had told them, all the fellows flung their caps spinning up into the air and cried: “He told them what he had said and what the rector had said and, when he had told them, all the fellows flung their caps spinning up into the air and cried: -Hurroo!”(68) At the end of the chapter, Stephen tells the Rector Father Dolan. After, Stephen’s classmates glorify him as a hero for standing up for himself. This incident will lead to Steven being more accepted in the school and allow him to further discover his place in life.

18. In Chapter 1, we see small references to an implied tension between different Catholic and Protestant characters. “When they grew up he was going to marry Eileen.” (20). Because Eileen is Protestant, his statement angers his mother and Dante. His mother even says that he didn’t apologize “… the eagles would come and pull out his eyes.” This introduces the division that the Catholics and Protestants have.

19. At Christmas dinner, Stevens Aunt and Mr. Casey arguing over the line between religion and politics. His aunt, Mr. Casey, and Dante all offer their two cents in Irish politics and their opinions on England, coming to a climax when Mr. Casey yells, “No God for Ireland!” (pg 34) and when Dante screams, “Blasphemer! Devil!” (pg 34).During the whole “discussion” Steven watches, amazed at the passion the adults speak with. It is shown that at a young age, Steven’s opinions are influenced.

20. Instead of focusing on their devotion to their Lord they talk of the politics, as though they’re meant to play a role in or want to influence them. They’re supposed to promote a different type of sovereignty, God’s. It seem that preachers are using the faith of the people in their divine authority to also give themselves authority over the land, the government, and have “taught” their followers that their words are guided by God, so when they “have spoken”, even regarding political matters, followers are expected to take their words and act on them(and pretty much to be given all power).

21. Dante accuses Mr. Dedalus and Mr. Casey of being “renegade catholics” and chastises them for talking “against God and religion and priests in his own home.”pg. 45 • Renegade; 1. a person who deserts a party or cause for another. 2. an apostate from a religious faith. • She calls the “renegade catholics” because instead of supporting the priests on legal matters they are siding with the government, and more specifically, Parnell. • She chastises them because they aren’t giving him the chance to mature and find his own ideology and beliefs by himself, but mostly she chastises them because she wants Stephen to remain a devout catholic. Mr. Dedalus seems to dislike the language of the Holy Ghost.pg. 43 After Dante recites “Woe be to the man…” he says “And a very bad language if you ask me,” which reveals that he either doesn’t like all the teachings or that he’s an educated person who likes better language. Anyway, because he’s Catholic he’s expected to abide by all the scriptures, and this comment revealed disrespect, lack of faith, and that he may even be against some of the teachings. We can tell that his company sees his disrespect because they ignore him for a bit.

22. Mr. Casey spit in the eye of an old lady who had called someone a name foul enough that he did not want to repeat it. Pg.47-48 Mr. Casey spitting in her eye is the opposite of what a normal catholic would do, because they are morally taught to always help the weak. But instead of helping the old lady, he spit tobacco in her eye. While on the other hand the old lady was being un-catholic like by being drunk, behaving rudely by annoying him and saying a foul name. Mr. Dedalus calls the Irish “A priest ridden Godforsaken race!” Pg. 48 Doesn’t believe that priests should take charge and be obeyed. Religion should moralize people’s beliefs and behavior, but politics is a matter of ideas and mentality not whether or not it’s all under “God’s” approval. Reveals further more his little faith in catholic priests, which is unlike many catholics.

23. Dante referring to Irish and quoting Jesus: “Touch then not, for they are the apple of My eye.” Pg. 49 I find this hypocritical because Adam and Eve ate a bad apple and from then on (even in snow white) apples have represented a bad fruit. So, when Jesus said “touch them not,” it sounds more like a warning against the Irish than a warning in favor of them. “The priests were always the true friends of Ireland” Dante says.Pg. 49 Well the bishops; betrayed the union when bishop Lanigan presented loyalty to Marquess Cornwallis, sold aspirations to Ireland in return for catholic emancipation, denounced fenian government from the pulpit and the confession box, dishonoured the ashes of Terence Bellew MacManus. Here they were liars, crooks, and jealous/revengeful? men, who only looked out for themselves and said it was for the good of the Catholics. They pretty much acted in ways that they preached were sinful.

24. Dante says “God and religion above everything! God and religion above the world!” Specially because she’s a nun her belief in God is blind. But she’s also been blinded by her faith to the intentions of the priests and therefore thinking that they only want to take charge of politic for the good of the people and God’s will she supports then 102% declaring that everyone should under God’s rule. But what would happen would be that the world would be restricted to only whatever priests allowed and would then be violating the freedom of the people with is also a catholic concept. When Mr. Casey says, in pg. 50 “We have too much God in Ireland. Away with God!” he means to say that the religious heads have too much influence in all of Ireland and it could turn out to declare themselves divine rules, and he doesn’t want that, there would be no more pleasure only devotion to God.

25. Dante says “We won! We crushed him to death! Fiend!” and Mr. Casey says “Poor Parnell! My dead King!” Pg. 50 After reading that we think back to pg.45 when Mr. Casey said that “the priests’ had broken Parnell’s heart and hounded him to his grave.” So we make the connection and realize that they had been responsible for Parnell’s death in some way. In Catholicism murder is one of the mortal sins, which make the difference to whether you’ll go to Heaven or Hell, so when the priests took action they de-holy-fied themselves in the eyes of God, which they claim to know so well and dedicate their lives to. A group of guys were thought to have drank the wine from the altar but were revealed to actually have been interacting in homosexual play. Pg. 51-52 It is wrong to steal and show disrespect to the Lord, so Stephen wondered why they would ever steal wine from the holy altar, and not drink it with holy ceremony but as a pleasure. But it turned out to be a really touchy topic among catholic priests, homosexuality, which they view as a betrayal to God’s likeness and the order of things, because man was made in God’s likeness and had a partner made for them, just as Eve was made for Adam.

26. Father Arnall was angry when the students didn’t know the answer, so punished them.Pg. 58 To be angry and act on it, is one of the mortal sins to. The father abused his power as teacher and elder and put the kids to work out of anger not to make them understand, plus he humiliated Fleming by making him kneel in between a row. Father Dolan also abused his power but to hurt the boys for pleasure. Pg. 59-63 He is the prefect of studies and makes sure people are on task, if they’re supposed to be anyway, even so it was wrong of him to hit Fleming and Stephen for not working when it wasn’t their fault. Fleming was already being punished with humiliation and had been ordered to kneel, so couldn’t work, but he got hit, hard, for it anyway. Also, when Stephen was hit he had explained that his glasses were broken but the prefect just accused him of pulling a scheme and hit him just as hard. For one the prefect had dismissed their reasons and just said they were “lazy idle loafers.” Second he hit them too hard, he wasn’t supposed to raise the pandybat above his shoulder, he even moved their hand in a way that he could hit them hardest and loudest, so he was obviously doing it on purpose and enjoying it, which is un-catholic like.

27. Uses a scene to describe the meaning of the word Simon Moonan called that because he used to tie the prefect’s sleeves, he said the sound was ugly and it sounded to him like dirty water going down the drain and in the end making the suck sound. In his rant about the word suck we notice that he notices things, like the sound of the water draining and making that sound, and connects them to words, he also connects scenes to the word to better remember its meaning, but because he does this we can see his interest in language. He understands that there is an equivalent for the word God in every language but talks about the French word Dieu, and he knows that although God is name in every language is different, his name will always be God; because in every language that’s what it would mean, so God always knows when they’re praying to him. He uses this word when he talks about comfort and pleasures; he like his bed warm so it’s lovely, he likes to feel tired(to sleep more soundly?) so it’s lovely. So because he was tired and going to bed, it would be lovely in a few minutes. He also uses this other times in the book.

28. He says to Stephen, “We must pack of to the Brother Michael because we have the collywobbles! Terrible thing to have the collywobbles! How we wobble when we have the collywobbles!” to make him laugh a little even though he’s sick. He was trying to cheer him up and make him focus less on his sick feelings (physically). He believes the poem was beautiful because it spoke of a peaceful death, when the angels were there to provide passage to heaven and he got buried on holy grounds beside his already deceased eldest brother. He believed it beautiful because that is what he would consider a peaceful passing and how he would like to be buried (before he had been talking about his “possible” passing). But he also thought it sad because he’d be dead and his loved ones would mourn him and he them because he’d be leaving toward heaven. Because he’s studying in a catholic boarding school, when Stephen says the Book he probably means the Bible.

29. “There were lovely foreign names in it and pictures of strange looking cities and ships.” It seems that Stephen like to learn about new things, strange/foreign things, he is interesting in knowing more that just about his country and religion. So he think it wonderful to read those types of books. Stephen says that the word wine is beautiful because it makes you think of dark purple- a color- and of the white temple like houses of Greece- a foreign country. Although he says that the smell of it makes him. While the fellows were talking about the runaways and the cricket players were playing, making the pick-pack-pock-puck sound, as the conversation intensifies and Stephen starts listening in more, he loses attention to the cricket players and that’s why he thinks it sounds like they were playing more slowly. At first it was pick-pack-pock-puck when they were only talking about the runaways drinking the altar wine, later it became pick-pock when the fellows were talking of not coming back because they’re afraid of punishment, and finally it became pock when talked of others being expelled and “laughed” about being flogged (spanked).

30. She has ivory-soft hands and her hair was gold in the sun as it trailed behind her. Stephen gives the Tower of Ivory and House of Gold new meanings by connecting them to Eileen’s beauty and says that “By thinking of things you could understand them” even though he still clearly didn’t. Or maybe he gave it the meaning of her being unreachable, well protected by barriers-protestant and catholic, etc. The pandybat made a sound close to the pick-pack-pock-puck, a long thin cane would make a high whistling sound, Stephen wondered what the pain would feel like. (Foreshadowing!) He likes to know things even painful things to feel more knowledgeable? But he didn’t find it a laughing matter like his fellows did(who were laughing to ease their nerves…).

31. Lost and alone in the halls of Clongowes, Stephen prefers the sky over the playground, watching “the greasy leather orb” flying “like a heavy bird through the grey light.” From the beginning of the novel, Stephen desires to escape the loneliness and confinement surrounding him throughout his life. The flight of birds shows his wish to be able to be free of the problems of the world yet the “heaviness” of this particular ‘bird,’ represents his dying hopes that his wish won’t come true in this new world. School has just started; he must brave being alone for the first time in his life.

32. Feeling abandoned by his own parents, he cannot stand on his own two feet, literally and figuratively. As he struggles to find his place, he’s bullied and tormented by the other children. He cannot forget “the coldness” and “sliminess” of the water. The dirty state of water, through Joyce’s eyes, represents Stephen’s state of being. No longer after the chill and hurt, he falls under the weather, remaining even more frightened as he was before. Not only his physical state, but his mental state, is sick as shown by the unhealthy state of the water.

33. After learning the disgust of injustice, Stephen must brave the rector if he ever wishes to regain his dignity back. He cannot dream of being a schemer and such accusation made him flushed. However, he has to go to the higher priest. Such a quest makes him doubt his strength and need, and thankfully for his own sake: he passes “along the narrow dark corridor” through the “gloom” with his eyes, both “weak and tired with tears.” His journey down the hall reveals his inner conflict: the decision between ignorance and confrontation. The corridor is a maze as he laments on deciding if he shall endure punishment once more or face conflict head on.

34. Charles Parnell, the “uncrowned king of Ireland” in British parliament, championed “Home Rule” (government separate from Britain) • Removed from office, the united front split into the Catholics of Ireland (who essentially disowned Parnell due to his immorality - Dante: “...priest’s pawns broke Parnell’s heart and hounded him into his grave” pg29) and the nationalists (Mr. Dedalus and Mr. Casey: “No God for Ireland” (pg 34) because the priests get too involved in politics). Stephen doesn’t really understand politics, but he is affected by the fighting that surrounds it. • Stephen, as a young boy, looks up to those who seem more knowledgeable. (Dante - “Dante knew a lot of things” pg 8, Mr. Dedalus - “His father...told him never to peach on a fellow” pg 6, his mother - , priests - “Father Arnall knew more than Dante because he was a priest” pg 8) • Politics (turmoil, who to believe), School (students talking about the boys who got in trouble in the squares)

35. a renowned craftsman and inventor • daedalus claimed to have invented the saw • but the credit instead went to the nephew • and in a fit of professional envy he murdered his nephew • fled from athens to crete • built the labyrinth and the hollow cow

36. had two brothers, rhadamanthys and sarpedon lived in Cnossus had two brothers, rhadamanthys and sarpedon lived in Cnossus • dispute of the crown led to him asking poseidon to show the people he is the king • poseidon sent a white bull but since it was so beautiful minos didn’t want to sacrifice it to him • angered he made the queen seek the bull • king minos then ordered Daedalus to build the labyrinth • and trapped him there with his son • king of crete, • son of zeus, • and phoenician • princess europa

37. head of a bull body of a man • the son of the white bull and Pasiphae the crete queen • he devoured anyone in the labyrinth

38. Poseidon gave a white bull to king Minos as proof of Minos’ royal entitlement. Poseidon wanted Minos to sacrifice the bull to him • Poseidon cursed Minos's queen, Pasiphae, to fall in love with the bull • To help the queen, Daedalus fashioned a lifelike hollow cow inside which Pasiphae could approach the bull • As a result she gave birth to the Minotaur, half-man, half-bull.

39. was the escape plan for Daedalus and his son • birds feathers and wax fashioned into wings • was what killed his son

40. Designed by Daedalus to imprison the minotaur • Stephan is also trapped but by his family, religion, school, and nation

41. was the son of Daedalus • he was imprisoned alongside his father in the tower inside the maze • when his father made their escape and told him to not get too close to the sun • and to not get too close to the ocean • flew up to the sun and the wax in the wings melted • he fell into the ocean and drowned

42. 1) Give one example of when Stephen uses his senses to connect the unfamiliar to a memory. 2) What was the Fenian Movement in Ireland? 3)Who was Charles Stewart Parnell and why was he important before the split between Irish Catholics and Nationalists? 4) Why did the Irish nationalists split into Catholics and Nationalists? With which factions do Dante, Mr. Dedalus, and Mr. Casey identify? 5) Why does the prefect of studies turn against Stephen? 6) What did Stephen do that caused the other scholars, including past bullies, at Congowes Wood College to finally accept him? 7) What is Mr. Casey’s opinion of God in Ireland? Why does he say this?

43. 8) What does Stephen associate the motifs of hot/cold and light/dark with? Why is this significant? 8) What does Stephen associate the motifs of hot/cold and light/dark with? Why is this significant? 9) What is the labyrinth a metaphor of? 10) Why is Stephen’s writing in his geography book significant to Stephen’s characterization? “Stephen DedalusClass of elements Clongowes Wood College Sallins County Kildare Ireland Europe The World The Universe” (pg 12)

44. Quiz Answers 1) Stephen uses his sense to make connections when he compares the noise in the refectory to the noise of a train going through a tunnel, when he compares Fleming’s coloring to the green and maroon velvet in Dante’s box, or when he contrasts the smell of a cold night chapel to the smell of old peasants. 2) The Fenian Movement in Ireland was a revolutionary movement against Britain for freedom 3)Charles Stewart Parnell was a member of Parliament in Britain. He was important because he spearheaded the movement for Irish independence. 4) Irish Catholics and Nationalists split because of the controversy over Parnell’s moral sin, affair. Dante is a Catholic, and Mr. Dedalus and Mr. Casey are Nationalists. 5) The prefect of studies turned against Stephen because he wasn’t working, tormented by the cruel punishment of Flemming. Additionally, he was excused from work due to his broken glasses. However, the prefect, an unfair and sadistic man, believes Stephen is a ‘schemer’ and paddles the poor innocent boy.

45. Quiz Answers part 2 6) Stephen was finally accepted by his peers after he stood up for himself by telling the rector that Father Dolan wrongfully beat him. The other boys admired his courage. 7) Mr. Casey says during the Christmas dinner fight that there should be “No God for Ireland” because he felt the Catholic priests were too involved in politics. 8) Stephen associates hot/cold and light/dark with good/bad. This is important because it impacts how he views things as he grows up. 9) The Labyrinth is a metaphor of how Stephen is trapped in the decisions of his family, religion, nation, and school; how he goes in circles because he is following a path others put him on. 10) Stephen’s writing in his geography book characterizes him as being curious and interested in his self worth