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Fw: Fw: Scatological observations...Bloom is supposed to be
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----- Original Message -----
From: Alexander Drescher
To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Scatological observations...Bloom is supposed to be
Bloom is supposed to be a rather ordinary citizen.
Tom Rymour's supposition is true in part, and many critics have subscribed to it. However, if Joyce was working a Cartesian theme among others, occupation with/of his body and its functions is central to Bloom's identity. Consider Bloom's potato - an example rather than a symbol of his earthiness; Bloom is incapable of a symbolic act. Joyce wrote in an era when those qualities he most valued and admired in his Jewish friends [and women] were often equated with an incapacity for Mind.
-Sandy Drescher
On Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at 10:28 PM, D. Barton Johnson wrote:
EDNOTE. The perfect quote. Those of you intothe topic might ponder the
pairing of "scatological" & "eschatological."
----- Original Message -----
From: <tom@discobolus.co.za>
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Dear Don and List,
VN told the students when lecturing on "Ulysses"
"In Bloom's mind and in Joyce's book the theme of sex is continually mixed
and intertwined with the theme of the latrine. God knows I have no
objection whatsoever to so-called frankness in novels. On the contrary, we
have too little of it,and what there is has become conventional and trite,
as used by so-called tough writers, the darlings of the book clubs, the
pets of clubwomen. But I do object to the following : Bloom is supposed to
be a rather ordinary citizen. Now it is not true that the mind of an
ordinary citizen continuously dwells on physiological things. I object to
the continuously, not to the disgusting. All this very pathological stuff
seems artificial and unnecessary in this particular context. I suggest
that
the squeamish among you regard the special preoccupation of Joyce with
perfect detachment." P287, Lectures on Literature.
And since we're on the subject, let's not forget the seething lava in the
bowels of Gradus as he arrives at Wordsmith.
Regards,
Tom (Rymour)