"... from the house of bondage to the wilderness of inhabitation effected?" {(17.1022) Gabler, p. 818 (Penguin)} is where we stopped at the last meeting of the reading group in 2013.
We are back in the world of "trivials" after the shock felt last week by the reciting of the antisemitic poem by Stephen. Bloom's thoughts wander again. Rather, he is occupied with the memories stirred up by the mention of the daughter of the Jew in the poem. Memories of Milly as a child (born on 15 June 1889) counting one, tloo, tlee, of her dolls, of her blond hair (though born of two-dark headed ones), of her adolescence, of the letter she had written on her 15th birthday (which was just a day preceding the current happenings), of his trying to teach Milly elements of biology and physics using an owl and a clock which he had got as matrimonial auguries, and of her giving him as a gift on his 27th birthday, a breakfast moustachecup of imitation Crown Derby porcelain ware.
Bloom's thoughts are intercepted by the temporary departure of his cat. This catapults Bloom's thoughts into wondering about the similarities and differences between the cat and Milly, in what becomes the pinnacle of labored writing.
This style of writing continues. Said in plain English, Bloom offers Stephen a bed, which is declined by Stephen. On the imminent departure of the much-cared-for-guest, Bloom is made to think of Mrs. Emily Sinico, mirroring the scene of a similar declining of an offer in the story, A Painful Case, from Joyce's Dubliners. Bloom does not give up on enticing Stephen. He would so love to continue the contact which would mean for him (Bloom) rejuvenation of intelligence and vicarious satisfaction. Among other things, he proposes that Stephen teach Molly Italian, that Milly coach Stephen in singing, that they both (Bloom and Stephen) meet in a suitable place and engage in a series of static semistatic and peripatetic intellectual dialogues. Bloom, who would have gone through a number of disappointments to date, would really be depressed if his offers were rejected. Because he realizes that the society/human existence has reached a critical turningpoint which can only be saved by amending many social conditions, the product of inequality and avarice and international animosity.
Bloom, at this point, is - once again - his kind and lovable self. He is the Bloom we know!
All that remains now is to wish you all, co-readers of Bloom's saga, happy holidays and a great beginning to 2014!
We are back in the world of "trivials" after the shock felt last week by the reciting of the antisemitic poem by Stephen. Bloom's thoughts wander again. Rather, he is occupied with the memories stirred up by the mention of the daughter of the Jew in the poem. Memories of Milly as a child (born on 15 June 1889) counting one, tloo, tlee, of her dolls, of her blond hair (though born of two-dark headed ones), of her adolescence, of the letter she had written on her 15th birthday (which was just a day preceding the current happenings), of his trying to teach Milly elements of biology and physics using an owl and a clock which he had got as matrimonial auguries, and of her giving him as a gift on his 27th birthday, a breakfast moustachecup of imitation Crown Derby porcelain ware.
Bloom's thoughts are intercepted by the temporary departure of his cat. This catapults Bloom's thoughts into wondering about the similarities and differences between the cat and Milly, in what becomes the pinnacle of labored writing.
This style of writing continues. Said in plain English, Bloom offers Stephen a bed, which is declined by Stephen. On the imminent departure of the much-cared-for-guest, Bloom is made to think of Mrs. Emily Sinico, mirroring the scene of a similar declining of an offer in the story, A Painful Case, from Joyce's Dubliners. Bloom does not give up on enticing Stephen. He would so love to continue the contact which would mean for him (Bloom) rejuvenation of intelligence and vicarious satisfaction. Among other things, he proposes that Stephen teach Molly Italian, that Milly coach Stephen in singing, that they both (Bloom and Stephen) meet in a suitable place and engage in a series of static semistatic and peripatetic intellectual dialogues. Bloom, who would have gone through a number of disappointments to date, would really be depressed if his offers were rejected. Because he realizes that the society/human existence has reached a critical turningpoint which can only be saved by amending many social conditions, the product of inequality and avarice and international animosity.
Bloom, at this point, is - once again - his kind and lovable self. He is the Bloom we know!
All that remains now is to wish you all, co-readers of Bloom's saga, happy holidays and a great beginning to 2014!
