For example, curricula (and newspapers of the time) were steeped in Irish history, and of course all the Irish were well-acquainted with Catholic liturgy. Joyce, Kibard holds, is laughing at Stephen along with us.Īlso, and most interesting, Kibard notes that at the time Joyce wrote Ulysses, the “common man” of Ireland would, in fact, have been familiar with many of the references we now find opaque. One of his more persuasive arguments is that passages seemingly obscure are meant to be obfuscatory: they illustrate the pedantry and effete intellectual engagement of the young protagonist, Stephen Daedalus. In this entertaining book (with its wonderful cover, shown below), Kibard asserts that Ulysses was intended for “ordinary” people,” and maintains that it can and should be read and savored by everyone. Let me digress by recommending Declan Kiberd’s book, Ulysses and Us. I realize this could be a small subgroup, but it shouldn’t be. Telegraph Avenue has not had a plethora of overly positive reviews it sprawls and stalls and showcases and shows off, but to me, it is still a treat for literary connoisseurs, and especially, fans of James Joyce’s Ulysses.
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