CerebralMix 2015-03-22: Ulysses Episode Twelve

If you thought you knew what was going on up to this point in Ulysses (and, let’s face it, there are many parts that aren’t easily followed), then the Oxen of the Sun episode was likely to be a shock. The primary action of this episode is on Mina Purefoy giving birth to her son at the Holles Street maternity hospital. But, what follows is something that is only possible in a novel.

The primary focus on the birth is told not in a direct manner. In fact, it is completely off stage to the scene that we experience. Instead we are treated to a scene with a bunch of gentlemen drinking and talking in a Doctor’s office. The narrative itself curiously unwinds in multiple variations of the English language, from different periods.

These variations are presented in chronological sequence and is paired to subject matter in which it is inclined to. The idea here is that Joyce was of the belief that the choice of style carried with it a specific context, or subtext. But the choice to present this section in different styles has another purpose: it is a mirror to the length of a pregnancy. Each dialect represents one month of pregnancy.

Next week will pick up on the relationship between the Oxen of the Sun episode and how it relates to The Odyssey.

Readings

In the past I’ve actually included the text of the poems or stories as part of the show notes. In the case of Ulysses that would be a bit on the incredibly heavy side. Instead I have produced a guide: CerebralMix Ulysses Series that provides the references that I am using, along with a show guide to the whole broadcast of this series.