The ghost of Barnacle’s onetime sweetheart Michael Bodkin haunts Joyce’s literature in secret ways, the word ‘bodkin’ always used ambiguously
The Dead. It is a journey towards the dying of the sun, where the night begins; but it also symbolises a return to the roots of Irishness, and to Nora Barnacle’s past. Back in, Nora had had her sweethearts before Jim, and one of them, Michael Bodkin, was to become an obsession for Joyce.honoured Joyce scholar Fritz Senn, director of the James Joyce Zurich Foundation, with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award.
The word “bodkin” is always ambiguous in the Wake, such as here: “They’re playing thimbles and bodkins”. It’s a reference to the British army, called “the thimble and bodkin army” in Cromwell’s time for, when the parliament in London was gathering an army, women who wanted to help brought silver thimbles and bodkins. However, it’s also Nora’s Michael, for the sentence before reads: “The dead giant manalive!”, and the one after: “Clan of the Gael”.
Joyce was a true believer in Giordano Bruno’s “coincidence of the contraries”, which makes for a fusion of end and beginning: life and death, for example. This is also symbolised by the fact that M and B, in reverse order, are the first and last letters of Leopold’s surname; and he is a possible betrayer, too, judging by his various flirtations.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Padraic Joyce: Galway lacked aggression early on in Dublin defeatGalway fall to Division 1 defeat in Salthill and aren't safe from relegation yet.
Read more »
Andrew Scott's mum Nora has sadly passed away after 'sudden illness'The Irish actor's mum sadly passed away surrounded by her family in St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin on Thursday after a sudden illness - only days before Mother's Day
Read more »
Man (25) charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of his mother in Co DownDetective tells Newry Magistrates’ Court they believe they can connect Colin William James McKee to offences
Read more »
Two former James Bond stars approve of Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the next potential 007He has still yet to be named as the official next 007, but two former Bond actors have already given their blessing to Aaron Taylor-Johnson for the role.Taylor...
Read more »
Real Weddings: Caitríona and James tie the knot in London and MallorcaCreatives Caitríona and James had two glamorous weddings – one in London and one in Mallorca – and they had everything they could've dreamed of.
Read more »
James Corden leaves David Beckham speechless with cringe Spice Girls questionComedian and presenter James Corden left football star David Beckham stunned with his cringe question about the Spice Girls as the pals reunited with each other
Read more »