Wandering Rocks II

Both Homeric epics were products of a complex oral tradition, which allowed for changes during the performances. Thus the texts we have now of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are probably only two of the variants; consequently they have some factual inconsistencies and structural anomalies. One of them concerns the Wandering Rocks. There are three accounts of the obstacles Odysseus and his men encountered on their way from the island of Circe to the island of Calypso. In the first one of them, by Circe herself, Odysseus is given the chance to choose a rout through the Rocks or by Scyla and Charibdis. The enchantress explains to him the nature of both obstacles. The next two accounts of the wanderings of Odysseus are by the hero himself and there is no mention of the Wandering Rocks.

However, Joyce decides to use the metaphor of the Rocks through which even Zeus’ birds cannot pass. In the chapter Wandering Rocks of "Ulysses," giving insights in the mundane activities of some relatively minor characters, Joyce shifts the attention from his main heroes Bloom and Stephen. But he does not do this completely as the two are also seen in the streets of Dublin at the time of the chapter-4 o’clock. The narration can be divided into 18(or 19) episodes, each being presented as instantaneously happening or just following the one that precedes it. With this technique Joyce remains to present an extremely alive picture of Dublin. Many regard this chapter as a tribute for the city-the setting of the book.

The narrative voice has changed from the previous episodes and the story becomes realistic. We see Stephen’s father with some of his children, Stephen talking to his former music teacher, the undertaker talking to a constable, Ned Lambert and another "explorer" of Irish culture, Martin Cunningham and some friends working on a subscription for the Dignam family, etc. Going on a similar mission, Father Conmee leaves his house in the beginning of the chapter. He passes by a one-legged soldier, hears of an awful disaster in New York but is not moved at all even by the poverty around him. The complacency of the priest is another product of Joyce’s bitter irony and criticism of Irish Catholicism. The church remains hidden behind its complex Latin phrases, which are not used to explain but hide the ignorance of the clergy and excuse their indifference.

The Wandering Rocks in "Ulysses" are all the drunkards, boasters, clergymen, as well as the victims of that society oppressed by politics, poverty and the church. They are dangerous not only for Stephen but for any Ulysses in Ireland. Unlike Homer’s, Joyce’s Rocks are escapable and the author never stops looking for a way through them.

1. Benstock, B., Mahaffey, V., Reauthorizing Joyce, Cambridge University Press, 1988.

This is a very helpful book of contemporary criticism. There is one chapter based primarily on Ulysses, "Reflection and Obscurity," where, very concisely, some basic themes are discussed.

It is interesting that the authors survey most Joyce’s prose for stylistic techniques, which were developed by the Irish writer as part of his attack on "traditional, univocal model of authority, reflected in the organizations of Church and State that he had been taught to serve." Many critics discuss the stylistic devices that Joyce uses, but this book looks for interesting connection between linguistic, philosophical and politic issues.

2. Fargnol, A. N., Gillespie, M. P., James Joyce A to Z: The Essential Reference to the Life and Work, Facts On File, Inc., NY, 1995.

This is an alphabetically organized reference book with a couple of useful appendixes-the Linati schema, which Joyce loaned to Valery Larbaud, the decision of the American judge who lifted the ban on the publication of "Ulysses." With its more than 800 entries, focusing on themes, people, places, etc. in Joyce’s works, the book is a key for understanding what of the details the author employs are facts from the Irish reality at the time or are facts from his own life.

3. Thornton, W., Allusions in Ulysses: An Annotated List, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, 1968.

This book is essential for reading Joyce. All the names and quotes-in English or other languages, are discussed, as well as their connection to Joyce’s work. Some annotations are dealing with repetitive issues in Ulysses-linguistic, factual or thematic. Though it is based on Ulysses, the author also points out some allusions to other works of the author.

4. Litz, A.W., James Joyce, Twayne Publishers, 1972.

As the author states his book is "a general study of Joyce’s art" and one really needs such knowledge when reading Joyce’s works because the author’s interpretations are so versatile and unique for him. All the discussions in the chapter on Ulysses are supported with examples from the text, which makes the author’s standpoint important.

5. Smith, P. J., A Key to the Ulysses of James Joyce, Haskel House Publishers, New York, 1969.

With two outlines of Homer’s Odyssey and Joyce’s Ulysses the author draws some basic parallels between the two. Yet he states that he does not want to push the comparison too much as the reader himself should understand it. All the chapters of Ulysses are briefly outlined. The chapter Agenbite of Inwit is a summary of the most important themes of the book/. The author states that his aim is to facilitate the reading of Joyce’s book as "the English itself has to be translated."