[singlepic id=57 w=320 h=240 float=left]
Stephen, disenchanted with the prospect of the new Hellenistic “omphalos” at the tower, airs a major grievance with Mulligan. He seems unaware of or just uninterested in the ironic contrast between his highminded observation of mourning proprieties plus his sensitivity towards Mulligan’s crudeness, against his own refusal to follow her last wishes. Of course, this isn’t lost on Mulligan.
I’m hoping for some commentary on Mulligan’s line about remembering “only ideas and sensations.” The Gifford note on this doesn’t seem to be especially helpful–it talks about David Hartley & John Locke. I associate the language with Walt Whitman, but for no good reason…
This scene sort of like Festivus–there’s a pole, there’s the airing of grievances… no feats of strength, but there will be swimming soon.
Reader’s Guide for I: Telemachus
Dramatis Personae for I: Telemachus
____________________________________________________________
I always interpreted Mulligan’s line as a reference to the Irish philosopher George Berkeley’s idealist doctrines, especially as set out in Part I of his “Treatise” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Treatise_Concerning_the_Principles_of_Human_Knowledge#.22To_be.22_means_.22to_be_perceived.22). I don’t know about the significance of this reference, though, beyond showing that Mulligan’s a pretty well-read kind of guy.
I always interpreted Mulligan’s line as a reference to the Irish philosopher George Berkeley’s idealist doctrines, especially as set out in Part I of his “Treatise” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Treatise_Concerning_the_Principles_of_Human_Knowledge#.22To_be.22_means_.22to_be_perceived.22). I don’t know about the significance of this reference, though, beyond showing that Mulligan’s a pretty well-read kind of guy as well.
– Traduction française / French translation –
Stephen, désabusé par la perspective d’un nouvel “omphalos” hellénique dans la tour, fait un vif reproche à Mulligan. Il ne semble pas conscient, ou bien ne se sent simplement pas concerné par le contraste ironique entre sa noble remarque sur le protocole du deuil, et sa susceptibilité à l’égard des verts reproches que Mulligan lui adresse pour n’avoir pas respecté les dernières volontés de sa mère. Bien entendu, ce décalage n’échappe pas à Mulligan.
J’espère quelque commentaire sur Mulligan disant ne se souvenir “que d’idées et de sensations”. La note de Gifford à ce sujet ne semble pas d’un grand secours – elle évoque David Hartley et John Locke. J’y vois quelque chose se rapportant à Walt Whitman, mais pour une raison non valable…
La scène est une sorte de Festivus [NDT : parodie de Noël] – avec le poteau métallique, l’expression des doléances… pas d’épreuve de force, mais il sera bientôt question de natation.