Video version here.
I promised myself I’d post less pretentious content, but hey it’s my first Bloomsday! In celebration, I’ve listed a personal ranking of the chapters in Ulysses from my least to most favorite, with brief comments and a favorite quote. Leave a response on what you think or if you’re a fellow Joycean! When it comes to Ulysses I’m always down for a discussion.
18. Sirens (Ch. 11)
For me, Joyce is at his worst when he plays with gimmicks. This chapter’s conceit of organizing the narrative like a symphony is frankly clunky unless listened to on audiobook (and it must be an audiobook that really nails the rhythms and sounds). I will admit that I enjoy how Joyce uses a variety of sounds, from the jingling of Boylan’s car and presumably of Molly’s bed, to the tap-tap-tap of the piano tuner, and even Bloom’s flatulence, to add to the chapter’s musicality.
I’ve also always admired the idea that the sirens of the Ulysses are not those that seduce through music, but the sirens of the mind: alcoholism, nationalism, nostalgia.
“Seabloom, greaseabloom viewed last words. Softly. When my country takes her place among.”
