REPORT ON JAMES JOYCE'S ULYSSES

EPISODE 2--NESTOR (24-36)

It is now 10:00am on Thursday, June 16, 1904. In this section, Joyce takes us to the village of Dalkey, on Dublin Bay. Stephen Dadelus is now a teacher in this small village. He is not quite the artist he had hoped to become in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. He instead finds himself in a small, cramped classroom full of the sons of wealthy gentleman. Stephen has not necessarily failed in his journey as of yet, but I do not believe this was on his agenda.

This episode begins with Cochrane, one of Stephen's students, responding to the instructor's questions. "Tarrentun, sir"(24) is his retort to Stephen's first question. Stephen is questioning the class on the history of Pyrrhus, an ancient Tarentine general. The students respond to Stephen's questions and appear to be paying attention to him. The only exception occurs when Armstrong, one of Stephen's pupils, mistakes Pyrrhus for a pier. His classmates erupt in "mirthless high malicious laughter"(24). After the laughter ceases, the class urges one of their fellow students to read a selection from Milton's "Lycidas." While Talbot is reading the poem, Stephen is thinking about the times he spent in the library of Saint Genevieve pondering Aristotelian theories. In the middle of the reading of the poem, Talbot closes his book and packs it away in his satchel. Stephen asks Talbot if he has finished, and Talbot responds, "Yes, sir. Hockey at ten, sir"(26).

The rest of the episode is a conversation between Mr. Deasy, the head master, and Stephen. Their conversation begins with Deasy paying Stephen's "Three twelve"(30) salary out of some sort of change counting device. Deasy is in love with this product and urges Stephen to acquire one. Their discussion continues with Deasy ranting and raving about the "pride of the English"(30) and how the Englishman's proudest boast is "I paid my way"(30). Deasy adds, "I never borrowed a shilling in my life. Can you feel that? I owe nothing"(30). This bothers Stephen, and he begins to make a mental list of his own debts. Mr. Deasy then requests that Stephen look over a document he wishes to have published concerning the threat of foot and mouth disease in Ireland. While Stephen is reading the essay, Deasy comments on how "England is in the hands . . . of the jews"(33). He tells Stephen how they have taken over "her press, her finance"(33). Then Deasy begins to discuss the evils of women and how they "brought Parnell low"(35). After Stephen finishes reading Deasy's letter, he promises to do the best he can to have it published. Their conversation ends with Deasy joking about the Jews in Ireland.

The second, third, and fourth books of The Odyssey are about Telemachus. The second book describes Telemachus' encounter with and eventual rejection by the suitors. In the third book, he is sent to the mainland to seek news of Odysseus. He there encounters Nestor and his son Pisistratus. Nestor tells him of the history of returning Greek heroes and the story of Agamemnon. In the fourth book, Pisistratus leads Telemachus to the court of Menelaus. While he is here, Telemachus meets Helen, who tells him the story of the return of Menelaus, another Greek hero.

Stephen is the star, and he will continue in his role as Telemachus. The role of Nestor is played by Mr. Deasy. Both of these men are old and full of advice. Sargent shadows the role of Pisistratus, Nestor's youngest son. Parnell's mistress and wife, Kitty O'Shea, plays the part of Helen.

The wise Nestor and Helen both offer counsel to Telemachus. He learns little about his father's whereabouts, but is given hope through the stories of the returning Greek heroes. Stephen, on the other hand, gets absolutely nowhere in his quest. The conversation with Deasy amounts to very little. Stephen learns plenty about the eventual conquest by the Jews, how to save money, and that women are the original sinners. He is given nothing to work with here. As opposed to Telemachus, Stephen has little hope at the end of this episode. Instead, as in Portrait, he finds himself trapped and unable to free himself.

Many famous Irishman mentioned in Dubliners and in Portrait return in this novel. Names like Parnell and Kitty O'Shea resurface in Deasy's discussion with Stephen. Joyce mentions their names in order to comment once more on Ireland's lack of support for and dedication to Home-Rule. Deasy says, "A woman too brought Parnell low"(35). He, like many other Irishman, blamed her for his demise, when in actuality, the power of the Catholic Church and its ability to win the support of Parnell's followers dealt the decisive blow to his career.

Stephen has definitely been sidetracked from his journey. Instead of striving to become an artist like Daedalus, Stephen finds himself trapped as a teacher. There is little room for growth here for Stephen, and he is in no way challenged by his new profession. Mr. Deasy, the headmaster, has nothing to offer but Anti-Semitic slurs and advice on saving money. An obstacle has once again slowed Stephen in his quest, and he must escape this trap and find out what lies ahead on his journey.

The guilt Stephen feels for denying his mother's dying request plays a role in this episode as well. As his students speak, Stephen's mind often wanders to thoughts concerning his mother. He sees himself as "ugly and futile"(26), lucky to have been loved as he had been. As with Joyce, Stephen will be forever haunted by his decision.

Joyce also comments on those with pro-British attitudes in his native Ireland. Mr. Deasy is labeled as a "west Brition"(Gifford 33). According to Richard Ellmann, Deasy's role is modeled after two gentlemen Joyce knew who were "very pro-British"(153). Deasy's character is formed by molding these two men and their beliefs and mannerisms into one man. Deasy believes Ireland to be the western-most province of England, and his manners and style are fashioned after the British. Although Deasy comments on the downfalls of Parnell and O'Connell, he most likely was happy with their demise. The self-betrayal theme is present here. Even though Deasy claims to be a true Irishman, he supports any efforts to keep Ireland from ruling herself. In his eyes Ireland is better off as long as she is attached to the British Empire.

Ellmann, Richard. James Joyce. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1982.

Gifford, Don. Ulysses Annotated. Berkeley: U of California P, 1989.

Joyce, James. Ulysses. New York: Vintage International, 1990.