James Joyce and Ulysses - Page 3

mosdef · #21 11-20-2007, 01:46 PM

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I haven't read Ulysses, but this type of attitude always strikes me as more elitist than those who claim to understand Ulysses. It's basically saying, "If I don't understand it, no one else possibly can!"

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Not so - I'm not saying it's too dense to understand because I don't understand it, it's because when I've had a "learned" person try to explain it to me they basically just give a list of references to other sources that list sources of people who list sources regarding the content of the book. No one I have ever talked to has had an independent thought about Ulysses including my English professors. They all know whatever they know from having "learned" it from somewhere else.

I'm sure there's a small number of Irish literature experts out there that can critically evaluate Ulysses independently, but that's about it.

Astyanax · #22 11-20-2007, 01:55 PM

I presume you have read the Odyssey to compare? I have to say I have only skimmed James Joyce's Ulysses although I have read and studied the Odyssey many times..

Funnily enough I know someone who is pretty damn good on James Joyce's Ulysses. Shall I get in contact wid him and help you out? What exactly do you need it for?

xorbie · #23 11-20-2007, 02:23 PM

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So what, I'm pretty sure James Joyce doesn't have 30,000+ posts. Ulysses by a mile.

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*whoosh* over the heads of the newbie OOTiots.

This needs more love.

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Yes I see what he did here. El Diablo used to be named Ulysses and has 30,000 posts. James Joyce died long before 2+2 was even started and therefore has 0 posts. Very clever.

skunkworks · #24 11-20-2007, 02:56 PM

xorbie -- I think you might enjoy snacking on my genitals.

xorbie · #25 11-20-2007, 08:26 PM

skunk,

As a proud American, I prefer larger portions.

skunkworks · #26 11-20-2007, 08:37 PM

Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 15438 <--- Bigger isn't always better
Loc: far and away better

Jim14Qc · #27 11-20-2007, 08:41 PM

Ulysses is the same story as the Odyssey, except from the Romans right? Anyway I'm in college readying the Odyssey right now, and thank god for sparknotes. It's not TOO bad, but I don't enjoy it so usually I just read the resumes online and quick analysis and understand the book better than 90% of the class who actually read it.

I really don't see why I should care about this story.

XXXNoahXXX · #28 11-20-2007, 08:42 PM

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Ulysses is the same story as the Odyssey, except from the Romans right? Anyway I'm in college readying the Odyssey right now, and thank god for sparknotes. It's not TOO bad, but I don't enjoy it so usually I just read the resumes online and quick analysis and understand the book better than 90% of the class who actually read it.

I really don't see why I should care about this story.

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Odyssey < Iliad +Aeneid, but all are awesome.

Astyanax · #29 11-20-2007, 08:46 PM

Jim14C - if ur having trouble, pm me and I'll help ya

If you read the Odyssey more than once you will realise that Homer (or whoever the author(s) is/are) is writing 2000 years ahead of his time..the plot is familiar to the audience and yet the excecution is unparalleled except for the Iliad imo.

The Aeneid for me does an amazing job of paying homage to the Iliad and Odyssey (obv read first line) but falls short of a truly great epic in comparison to aforementioned and Beowolf.

Jim14Qc · #30 11-20-2007, 08:54 PM

astyanax, I like the story. I just don't enjoy the writing style so much. That's probably due to fancy translation, and being French some of it gets lost during my readings (which usually take place in the bus at 7.30am,barely awake).