The Meaning and Realization of the Wandering Rocks Mythologeme in the Context of the Tenth Episode of “Ulysses” by James Joyce

Cover Page

Cite item

Full Text

Open Access Open Access
Restricted Access Access granted
Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Abstract

The objective of the research is to establish the connection between the Wandering Rocks mythologeme and the tenth episode of “Ulysses”, and to describe the representation of the mythologeme in the episode. The Wandering Rocks transform in Joyce’s world view into the biblical image of a barrier at the boundary of Eden. While in the Bible the flaming sword which turns every way is analogous to the Wandering Rocks, and the Cherubim is near it, in the literary world of James Joyce the objects of the physical world become the manifestations of the Wandering Rocks with nearby characters performing the function of the Cherubim. Using crypto parody in combination with an element of travesty, Joyce interprets the mythologeme by means of metaphoric comparative concretism. The Bible and the Greek myth are the two sources that can help the reader of the tenth episode to reveal concealed allusions and by doing so to bridge the gaps in meaning. The paper provides the rationalization of the main symbols of the episode from Joyce’s scheme: blood as the blood of Christ, the time of 15.00 as the time of His death on the cross, and mechanics as the science of passing through the Wandering Rocks following in the footsteps of the Savior.

About the authors

O. V. Bakhmet

Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI”

Email: ovbakhmet@etu.ru
5 Bld. 5 Professor Popov Str., St. Petersburg, 197022, Russia

References

  1. Norris, M. Possible-Worlds Theory and Joyceʼs “Wandering Rocks”: The Case of Father Conmee. Joyce Studies Annual. New York: Fordham University Publ., 2007, pp. 21–43.
  2. Genieva, E.Ju. I snova Dzhojs… [And Joyce Again…]. Moscow: VGBIL im. M.I. Rudomino Publ., 2011. 368 p. (In Russ.)
  3. Horuzhiy, S. Kommentarij [Commentary]. Joyce, J. Ulysses. St. Petersburg: Azbuka, Azbuka-Attikus Publ., 2012, pp. 779–984. (In Russ.)
  4. Horuzhiy, S. “Uliss” v russkom zerkale [Ulysses in a Russian Looking-Glass]. Joyce, J. Sobranie sochinenij: V 3 t. [Collected Works in 3 Volumes]. Moscow: ZnaK Publ., 1994. Vol. 3. Uliss: roman (chast III) [Ulysses: Novel (Part III)]. 608 p. Pp. 363–605. (In Russ.)
  5. Garin, I. Vek Dzhojsa [The Age of Joyce]. Moscow: TERRA-Knizhnyj klub Publ., 2002. 848 p. (In Russ.)
  6. Ellmann, R. Ulysses on the Liffey. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. 256 p.
  7. Gilbert, S. James Joyceʼs Ulysses: A Study (2nd ed.). London: Faber And Faber Limited Publ., 1932. 426 p.
  8. McCormick, K. “Just a Flash like That”: The Pleasure of “Cruising” the Interpolations in “Wandering Rocks”. James Joyce Quarterly. Vol. 24, No. 3. Tulsa: University of Tulsa Publ., 1987, pp. 275–290.
  9. Gabler, H.W. Structures of Memory and Orientation: Steering a Course Through Wandering Rocks. Text Genetics in Literary Modernism and other Essays. Cambridge: Open Book Publishers, 2018, pp. 81–110.
  10. Sherry, V. Distant Music: “Wandering Rocks” and the Art of Gratuity. James Joyce Quarterly. Vol. 31, No. 2. Tulsa: University of Tulsa Publ., 1994, pp. 31–40.
  11. Hannay, J. The Throwaway of “Wandering Rocks”. James Joyce Quarterly. Vol. 17, No. 4. Tulsa: University of Tulsa Publ., 1980, pp. 434–439.
  12. Senn, F. James Joyceʼs “Ulysses”: Hell, Purgatory, Heaven in “Wandering Rocks”. Hungarian Journal of English and American Studies (HJEAS). Vol. 19, No. 2 Warsaw: Sciendo Publ., 2013, pp. 323–328.
  13. Pierce, D. The Reading Matter of “Wandering Rocks”. European Joyce Studies. Vol. 12, Joyceʼs “Wandering Rocks”. Leiden: Brill Publ., 2002, pp. 73–106.
  14. Platt, L. Moving in Times of Yore: Historiographies in “Wandering Rocks”. European Joyce Studies. Vol. 12, Joyceʼs “Wandering Rocks”. Leiden: Brill Publ., 2002, pp. 141–154.
  15. Williams, T. “Conmeeism” and the Universe of Discourse in “Wandering Rocks”. James Joyce Quarterly. Vol. 29, No. 2. Tulsa: University of Tulsa Publ., 1992, pp. 267–279.
  16. Jacobus, L.A. Anguis in Urbe: Snakes and Goddesses in the “Wandering Rocks” Episode of “Ulysses”. James Joyce Quarterly. Vol. 39, No. 3. Tulsa: University of Tulsa Publ., 2002, pp. 477–488.
  17. Huang, Sh.-Y. “Wandering Temporalities”: Rethinking “Imagined Communities” through “Wandering Rocks”. James Joyce Quarterly. Vol. 49, No. 3/4, Special Double Issue. Tulsa: University of Tulsa Publ., 2012, pp. 589–610.
  18. Brown, R. Time, Space and the City in “Wandering Rocks”. European Joyce Studies. Vol. 12, Joyceʼs “Wandering Rocks”. Leiden: Brill Publ., 2002, pp. 57–72.
  19. Haag, S. Listen and Be Touched: Aural Space in “Wandering Rocks”. European Joyce Studies. Vol. 12, Joyceʼs “Wandering Rocks”. Leiden: Brill Publ., 2002, pp. 107–120.
  20. Stephenson, W. Eroticism and Lightness in “Wandering Rocks”. European Joyce Studies. Vol. 12, Joyceʼs “Wandering Rocks”. Leiden: Brill Publ., 2002, pp. 121–140.
  21. Apolloniy Rodosskiy. Argonavtika. Perevod, vvedenie i primechanija G.F. Cereteli [Apollonius of Rhodes. The Argonautica. Translation, Introduction and Notes by G. Tsereteli]. Tbilisi: Mecniereba Publ., 1964. 349 p. (In Russ.)
  22. Zhukovskiy, V.A. Odisseja [The Odyssey]. Sobranie sochinenij: V 4 t. [Collected Works in 4 Volumes]. Moscow, Leningrad: Goslitizdat. [Leningr. otd-nie] Publ., 1959–1960. Vol. 4. Odisseja. Hudozhestvennaja proza. Kriticheskie statji. Pisma [The Odyssey. Fictional Prose. Critical Essays. Letters]. 1960. 783 p., pp. 7–366. (In Russ.)
  23. Berezkin, Ju.E. Tolkuchie skaly: obzor dannyh i datirovka obraza [The Clashing Rocks: The Survey of the Data and the Dating of the Idea]. Antropologicheskij forum [Forum for Anthropology and Culture]. No. 61. St. Petersburg: Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera), Russian Academy of Sciences Publ., 2024, pp. 105–140. (In Russ.)
  24. Tolstoy, L.N. Lisitsa [The Fox]. Polnoe sobranie sochinenij: [V 90 t.] [Complete Works [in 90 Vols.]]. Moscow: Hudozh. lit. Publ., 1928–1958. Vol. 21. Novaja azbuka i russkie knigi dlja chtenija, 1874–1875 [The New ABC Book and the Russian Books for Reading, 1874–1875]. 1957. 696 p., pp. 205–206. (In Russ.)
  25. Ostrovskiy, A.N. Svoi ljudi – sochtemsja! [Itʼs a Family Affair – Weʼll Settle It Ourselves!]. Pjesy [Plays]. Moscow: Det. lit. Publ., 2000. 379 p., pp. 31–100. (In Russ.)
  26. Shukshin, V.M. Sud [The Trial]. Pechki-lavochki: Kinopovesti i rasskazy [Stoves and Benches: Movie Tales and Short Stories]. Moscow: Izd-vo Eksmo Publ., 2005. 640 p., pp. 466–474. (In Russ.)
  27. Joyce, J. Ulysses. London: Penguin Classics Publ., 2000. 939 p.
  28. Svjatogo Dionisija Areopagita o nebesnoj ierarhii. 6-e izd. [St. Dionysius the Areopagite on Celestial Hierarchy. 6th Ed.]. Moscow: Sinod. tip. Publ., 1898. 63 p. (In Russ.)
  29. Panteleev, S., Shablevskiy, N. Evagrij Pontijskij. O serafimah i heruvimah [Evagrius of Pontus. About Seraphim and Cherubim]. Bogoslovskij Vestnik [Theological Herald]. No. 22–23, Iss. 3–4. Sergiev Posad: Izdatelstvo MDA Publ., 2016, pp. 407–427. (In Russ.)
  30. Svjatitel Filaret (Drozdov). Tolkovanie na Knigu Bytija [Saint Philaret (Drozdov). Commentary on Genesis]. Moscow: Lepta-Press, 2004. 829 p. (In Russ.)
  31. Gifford, D. with Seidman, R.J. Ulysses Annotated: Notes for James Joyceʼs Ulysses. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press, 2008. 694 p.

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML
Download

Copyright (c) 2025 Russian Academy of Sciences