#12 The Wandering Rocks
Guide to support Ulysses.
Notes:
Red = Various Language Used and It’s Translation
Orange = Word Description
- = Guided Plot
Noted Characters:
John Conmee S.J John Stephen Conmee SJ (- Reverend of Saint Francis Xavier’s Church
Mr. David Sheehy M.P. (Wife)
Father Bernard Vaughan’ - English Catholic Priest
Mr. Denis J Maginni - Professor of Dancing
Mrs M’Guinness
Mr William Gallagher
Daniel Bergins
HJ ONeill
Corny Kelleher
Reverend Nicholas Dudley CC of Saint Agatha’s Church
Mr Eugene Stratton
Lord Talbot de Malahide - Lord of Malahide
Katey Dedalus
Boody Dedalus
Almidano Artifoni - stephens voice teacher, singing
Miss Dunne - Boylans Secretary
Tom Rochford
Richie Goulding
Nosey Flynn
Location: 3pm - On The Streets Of Dublin
Odyssey: Odysseus chose to go the path of Scylla and Charybdis, instead of the wondering rocks path. Circe had explained that only Argo has made the passage of wandering rocks with the help of Hero. Circe described the wandering rocks as “drifters” with “boiling surf, under fiery winds”. Wandering Rocks episode never happened in the Odyssey, but were a possibility.
From Ulysses Annoyed but Don Gifford:
In the Linati schema Joyce lists the Persons as "Objects, Places, Forces, Ulysses" and er- marks that the Sense (Meaning) of the episode is"The Hostile Environment.”
The episode is composed of nineteen sections, which are interrupted by interpolated actions that are temporally simultaneous but spatially remote from the central action in which the interpolation occurs.
Themes:
Organ: Blood
Art: Mechanics
Color: None
Symbol: Citizens
Technique: Labryinth
Father Conmee -
- Episode starts with a time check in, 5 to 3 as an omnipresent narrator is observing Reverend Conmee.
Vere dignum et justum est - It is indeed fitting and right (latin)
We run through the narrators observations and thoughts in this place in time.
This episode continues to skip around Dublin, weaving together various characters and events around this time of day.
Observing Reverend Conmee’s actions leaving the church. A visual queues a thought, that leads down another rabbit hole, to another visual. Like our thoughts truly work.
Le Nombre des Èlus - The Number of the chosen (Fr)
eiaculatio seminis inter vas naturale muliers - Ejaculation of semen within the natural female organ
Moutonner - To render Fleecy (Fleece) (Fr)
Deus in adiutorium - Oh, god to our aid (come)
Beati immaculati: Principium verborum tuorum veritas: in eternum omnia indicia iustitiae tuae. - Thy word is true from the beginning and everyone of thy righteous judgements endureth forever.
Sin: Principes persecuti sunt me gratis: et a verbis tuis formidavit cor meum - Sin: Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Corny Kelleher -
The story of Father Conmee appears to come to a end. The next section turns some focus on Corny Kelleher. In the section focusing on Conmee, Corny Kelleher appears as “totted figures in the daybook while her chewed a blade of hay. This is while Father Conmee passed H.J. O’Neill’s where Kelleher was.
This next section starts with Kelleher closing his day book, placing his blade of hay on a coffin lid, and looking out in the street, where he observes Conmee getting onto a tram.
Kelleher has a quick exchange with a police officer (57C). Kelleher quietly spits, someone has a open window on Eccles street and toss a coin, possibly for a charity.
One-Legged Sailor -
Next section focuses on the one-legged sailor that crosses Conmee’s path earlier. “A one legged sailor, swinging himself onward by lazy jerks of his crutches, growled some notes.”
We find out his growling “For England” a Song “The Death Of Nelson”
He passes two of Stephens younger siblings Katey & Boody. We observe JJ O’Molloy being told the person he wanted to see, Mr. Lambert was in a warehouse with a visitor.
We see a stout lady donating a copper penny to a held out hat.
Two poorly dressed kids are seen sucking on licorice.
We seem to see the white arm from Kelleher section, donating this going to the poorly dressed kids (Urchins)
Katey & Boody Dedalus -
We turn to Stephens siblings asking if they pawned some books. This is similar tot he life of Joyce, where he used to ask Stanislaus to pawn books for him.
It appears one of the “Urchin” children on the street, getting money donated, name is Maggy.
Appears that the Dedaulus siblings didn’t get anything for the books they tried to pawn.
We turn back to a visual of Conmee walking through Clongowes fields.
Katey, Boody, and Maggy are looking for food at a public kitchen. They get pea soup from Sister Mary Patrick.
They mention Dilly, another sibling, is looking to meet their father, Simon.
Blazes Boylan -
Introduction of a blond girl in a department store where Blazes Boylan is as well. She appears to be a cashier packing a basket full of fruit Blazes is purchasing.
A band “H. E. L. Y.’S” Appear before Boylan. Blazes asks to deliver his fruit basket for him, for a Invalid, but I am reading through the lines, that this is for Molly Bloom and he is trying to keep a secret.
We are introduced into who the character Blazes is here more, he peered at the cleavage of the young cashier, picked a carnation for her, while looking deeper down her blouse. He then proceeds to ask for her phone number: “May I say a word to your telephone, missy? he asked roguishly.”
Almidano Artifoni -
We turn to Stephen and his vocal teacher, Almidano Artifoni at “Goldsmith’s knobby poll” meaning Oliver Goldsmith’s statue at St. Stephens Green. Stephen and his singing teacher are talking aimlessly.
Anch’io ho avuto di queste idee, quand’ ero giovine come Lei. Eppoi mi sono convinto che il mondo è una bestia. É peccato. Perchè la sua voce ... sarebbe un cespite di rendita, via. Invece, Lei si sacrifica. - I too had these ideas when I was young like you. And then I convinced myself that the world is a beast. It's a sin. Because his voice... would be an income asset, come on. Instead, she sacrifices herself.
Sacrifizio incruento, - —Bloodless sacrifice,
Speriamo, - Let’s hope so,
Ma, dia retta a me. Ci rifletta. - But, listen to me. You think about it.
Ci rifletterò, -I'll think about it,
Ma, sul serio, eh? - But, seriously, huh?
Eccolo - There he is
Venga a trovarmi e ci pensi. Addio, caro. - Come and see me and think about it. Goodbye, dear.
Arrivederla, maestro, E grazie. - Goodbye, master, and thank you.
Di che? Scusi, eh? Tante belle cose! - —About what? Sorry, huh? Many beautiful things!
Miss Dunne -
We enter this section with Miss Dunne putting a book in a drawer and loading up her typewriter. The book is “The Woman in White”. She starts off by discussing the book, Too much mystery business in it.
Curious as she is reflecting on the book, there is a character named Marian Halcombe, if she thinks of Marion Bloom, being curious if Blazes Boylan is in love with her. But there isn’t any solid hints showing she is thinking of Molly Bloom.
She wants to return her book and get another one, by another author, Mary Cecil Haye. She starts to type her own story, dated 16 June 1904.
The telephone rings and its Blazed Boylan. She tells him that Mr. Lenehan from “SPORT” (Fictional Dublin Paper) was looking for him and will be at the Ormond Hotel at 4.
Miss Dunne appears to be Boylan’s secretary.
Ned Lambert and J.J. O’Molloy -
This scene starts in an old chapter house of St. Mary’s Abbey. An old religious establishment.
(Jack) J.J. O’Molloy appears to Ned Lambert. Ned appears to be giving a tour of the old religious area. There is a clergyman that appears to feel that Ned is taking his job of giving the tour.
The clergyman exits, Ned Lambert forgets a key story he wanted to tell him. Ned Sneezes a few times and the episode ends.
Tom Rochford -
Next scene takes us to Tom Rochford. It appears he is explaining a invention and how it works. “Turn six” appears to be a act in a play
The scene takes us to the four courts in Dublin, and Richie Goulding going somewhere.
Back to Rochford, talking to Nosey Flynn, teaching him more of this invention. He is speaking to Nosey Flynn, Lineman, and M’Coy.
The invention must be something around telling what act is on in a play. If you leave or are late, you can see what you missed?
Lenehan is stating he is meeting Boylan at the Ormond Hotel and it appears Rochford as asking him to use or partake in investment on this invention.
Lenehan and M’Coy leave. We follow them down the street, where they talk about manholes and appears to be a sticky situation with Tom Rochford saving someone in the sewer system.
Lenehan desires to stop at Lymans to see the price to bid on the horse Sceptre to win. He see’s Bantam Lyons there. They then see Bloom. “A dark backed figure scanned books on the hawker’s cart” (He must be looking for a new book for Molly.)
M’Coy explains a situation where Bloom bought a book for cheap, but found “fine plates in it worth double the money”. Following the theme that Bloom has money.
They see Dignam Junior come out of a butcher.
M’Coy and Lenehan talk about an event that occurred with quite a few folks. Lord Mayor, Val Dillon, Sir Charles Cameron, Dan Dawson, Bartell D’Arcy, Benjamin Dollard, M’Coy’s wife (sung), Lenehan, Bloom, Molly. Upon leaving, Lenehan, Bloom, Molly, and Delahunt shared a car home. Every bump, Molly was bumping against Lenehan. “Hell’s Delights! She has a fine pair”.
Lenehan describes the personality of Bloom and how unaware he is of whats going on around him. Bloom was busy pointing out the stars/comets while this bumping action was occurring. There was a sexual joke around Lenehan’s man part “you might call a pinprick”.
He explains Bloom as “He’s a cultured allroundman, Bloom is, he said seriously. He’s not one of your common or garden... you know... There’s a touch of the artist about old Bloom.”
Leopold Bloom -
We turn to Bloom picking out a book for Molly off a cart. The shopman is trying to sell Bloom two books and explained the onions on his breath.
At the scene, There was Mr. Denis J. Maginni, wearing “gay apparel”. With many onlookers, all the while Bloom is searching for books. This shows some more of his personality.
Bloom settles on the book “Sweets of Sin”.
Bloom starts to read more of this book and starts to get aroused/warm over the content.
Dilly Dedalus -
Dilly is sitting out Dillon’s auction rooms overhearing the events inside.
Simon Dedalus (“tugging a long mustache”) walks around the corner and stops at his daughter. Tells her to stand up straight.
Dilly asks her father to if he has any money, while Mr. Kernan is walking along James St.
Simon Dedalus gave her a shilling, she asks for more, he said “An insolent pack of little bitches since your poor mother died.” Simon proclaims that god is dead.
He eventually gave in and gave her 2 more pennies.
Mr. Kernan -
Section starts with Mr. Kernan walking excited about a sale/order he got. Then talking to Mr. Crimmins, where he orders a drink.
They discuss the Slocum train explosion and how greed caused it. Palmoil.
Simon arrives to the bar and is greeted by Father Cowley.
Kernan reflects on the stylish coat he acquired and how he got it.Takes one last glance at himself and leaves. We follow him walking along the road a bit more.
Stephen Dedalus -. They are in the council chamber of St. Mary’s abbey. This is the only remaining building of what had once been a large complex housing the wealthiest abbey in Ireland. Near the river Liffey.
Ned is explaining the history of this location.
The Wandering Rocks Reflections:
Referenced Works:
Gerald Griffin - “The Bridal of Malahide” - (1854)
Fr John Conmee SJ, “Old Times in the Barony” - (1900 Booklet)
Harold Jarvis - “The Death of Nelson” - (1908 Song)
Wilkie Collins - The Woman in White - (1860)
Charles Dickens - “A Bleak House” - ()
References:
Gifford, Don, and Robert J. Seidman. Ulysses Annotated: Notes for James Joyce's Ulysses. Univ. of California Press, 2009.
“Saint Mary’s Abbey.” The Joyce Project : Ulysses : Saint Mary’s Abbey, m.joyceproject.com/notes/100006marysabbey.html. Accessed 23 Nov. 2023.
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