Today we started chapter 16, the chapter labelled Eumaeus. It is the first of the three chapters that make up the third book of Ulysses.
We stopped at 16.710 (Gabler), p. 710 (Penguin): "However, haud ignarus malorum miseries succurrere disco, etcetera, as the Latin poet remarks, especially as luck would have it he got paid his screw after every middle of the month on the sixteenth which was the date of the month as a matter of fact though a good bit of the wherewithal was demolished."
As the above sentence shows, we are back to 'normal' story telling in this chapter but the language is convoluted and is in a way artificial. (One of the gems is the use of Jupiter Pluvius instead of just saying rain. You will surely discover many more such gems as you read on.) According to Fritz Senn, there is a feeling in this chapter that what is written is not exactly what is meant! But, I admit, that I enjoyed the way Joyce stretches the language, misguides his readers with his disregard of the rules of language. It was like taking a loooong breath of fresh air after that terrific (yes, not terrible) chapter of hallucinations in Nighttown.
What has happened so far in this chapter is that Bloom gets Stephen away from Nighttown. Stephen, who is still a 'bit' drunk, wants something more to drink. Dear Bloom thinks that Stephen wants something non-alcoholic. At that time of morning - it is 1 a.m. - Bloom knows that not many places would be open. So he thinks of the cabman's shelter, as it was called, hardly a stonesthrow away from Butt bridge where they might hit upon some drinkables in the shape of a milk and soda or a mineral. They walk on, and though Stephen is not, as usual, very communicative, Bloom does most of the talking, e.g. lecturing him on the dangers of drinking and whoring. This is reported not in the first person as Bloom would have spoken, but in the third person. As they walk on, a new character - a corporation watchman - appears. Stephen recognizes him as Gumley, a former friend of his father's, and manages to avoid him. Then they meet Corley, who claims to be down on his luck and presses Stephen for help.
Much of the humor of this chapter derives from its language. It wants to be chatty, amusing, impressive but falls short. At every turn it is awkward and strange. As you read on, look out for little stylistic accidents. They're what makes the chapter particularly funny.
