Friday 13 April 2018

Monday, April 9, 2018, Pages 458 - 460

We stopped at "O, I understand." (460.31)

Oh yes, we did understand something from this week's reading. We understood that Shaun's lecturing is over - at least for the time being -, that Issy is answering him. Last week she had mentioned her lovely hair - though kinkless, it had loops of loveliness. She had given him writing papers and had asked him to write to her (forward it back by return pigeon's pneu*) and that when he sees these writing papers, he should think of her and not of Veronique.**

In this session she professes that she will read rosary for him; she mentions her nurse, Madge, who breaks in her (Issy's) shoes when she (Issy) has trouble with the arch of her feet; and she talks of the boy (her latest lad), who fell for her lips, for her lisp, .. whereas she fell for his strength, his manhood, his do you mind? Even though she has fallen for somebody, Issy assures Shaun that she will always care for him. (The Dargle shall run dry the sooner I you deny.) Issy gives Shaun.

* and **
Jospeh Campbell interprets this request in the following way:
"Under the sentimental clownery of this scene appears very dimly the figure of Christ on his Via Crucis. Shaun has spoken of and actually eaten his Last Supper; his way is lined with women whom he exhorts not to weep, among them Veronica."

Campbell also interprets 'return pigeon's pneu' as Issy asking Shaun (i.e., Christ) to send the message back by pigeon's breath (spirit of the Holy Ghost).
(A Skeleton key to Finnegans Wake, p. 279)

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