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Synopsis
by Gerry O'Flaherty
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| Fr.
Conmee |
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| Earl
of Dudley |
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In
the first nine episodes, the first half of the novel, we are shown
the problems that beset the lives of Stephen and Bloom. In the
second part we will see how they find solutions to these difficulties.
By now it is between 3 and 4 o'clock and this episode gives a
picture, in nineteen vignettes, of Dublin and its inhabitants.
It is an entr'acte between the two halves of the novel.
The
nineteen parts are framed by the first and the last, which represent
the Church and the State. The episode opens with Father Conmee
setting out from the presbytery of Gardiner Street Jesuit church
for Artane to have Paddy Dignam's son accepted into the Christian
Brothers' orphanage there. In the final part, the Viceroy, William
Humble, Earl of Dudley, drives from the Viceregal Lodge in the
Phoenix Park to Ballsbridge to open the Mirus Bazaar.
Fr
Conmee moves across the north of the city while the Viceroy travels
across the south. The other seventeen parts show various characters,
most of whom we have met in previous episodes of the novel, going
about their various business routines.
Here
the Homeric element is very slight and corresponds to Circe telling
Odysseus to avoid the wandering rocks which might sink his ship.
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The Viceregal Cavalcade did not pass through
Dublin on June 16th 1904. As reported in the Irish
Independant on the 17th June 1904, the Viceroy was
actually on a tour of Co. Clare accompanied by Liertenant
Col. Hesseltine.
Among
those mentioned in 'Wandering Rocks', who accompanied
the Viceroy in Dublin were Miss deCourcy and
Miss Paget who are most likey fictional character.
In fact the Mirus Bazaar in aid of funds for
Mercer's Hospital took place on May 31st 1904.
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The Bloom is on the Rye (My Pretty Jane)
Words by Edward Fitzball Music by Sir Henry Bishop
This song is the main motif associated with Bloom
in the Sirens episode of Ulysses. It is first alluded
to in the Wandering Rocks episode when Bloom is near
the Ormond Hotel where Sirens takes place. It was
a favourite of Joyce himself and he remembered his
father John singing it to his wife May's accompaniment.
Listen >>
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