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 Tue Jul 22, 2008 5:24 am Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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And the first thing in the morning in our new home  happens to be from:
| Quote: | | The van of the procession appears headed by John Howard Parnell, city marshal, in a chessboard tabard, the Athlone poursuivant and Ulster King of Arms. |
1. I guess "poursuivant" is pursuivant, which could be a pun on armory with the hind coming "King of Arms"?
2. However, "poursuivant" here refers to councillor?
| Quote: | | After them march the guilds and trades and trainbands with flying colours |
3. I think normally the phrase means "victoriously" but here it means "with flying colourful flags"?
Thank you!
Haihao |
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Haihao
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Ralf
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| Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:23 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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| Ralf wrote: | | A hundred year ago in Bloom's Dublin, news and gossip would travel quickly, by word of mouth rather than mechanical means. Today we scoop un-dreamt of possibilities from a virtually bottomless electrified well to make news travel even faster |
Indeed. But I like Bloom's Dublin more... People would say old times is always good times but I'd say Bloom's Dublin made more sense and gave more imagination than ours, poor life, simple life and slow life maybe, but real and heartfelt, with pain or pleasure...
I don't think human beings are so wellprepared for those mechanical means and bottomless electrified wells, neither is the earth! So, Erin or Eire is always a lovely name to me...
Best regards,
Haihao |
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Haihao
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| Tue Jul 22, 2008 13:08 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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Hi Haihao,
For Joyce and most Irish emigrants, Ireland only became a beautiful place once they'd left it. Until recently (some 20 years ago), the biggest assets of the little green rock were dreadful weather, malnourishment, bad drinking and gambling habits as well as centuries of injustice under British rule and the Celtic cross.
Here's a very good essay on "Doom and Bloom", a depiction of homesickness in Ulysses.
All the best,
Ralf
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| Tue Jul 22, 2008 14:38 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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| Quote: | | I'd say Bloom's Dublin made more sense and gave more imagination than ours |
Don't let Joyce hear you say that, Haihao-- he would think he had failed.
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| Tue Jul 22, 2008 14:40 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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| Thank you, Ralf. It's really informative to me. |
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Haihao
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| Tue Jul 22, 2008 14:41 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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| And thank you too, MM. I got it. |
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Haihao
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| Tue Jul 22, 2008 23:28 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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Thank you for the pizza, Amy! (And whoever stocked up the fridge by the tv has made some sensible choices.)
| Quote: | | The van of the procession appears headed by John Howard Parnell, city marshal, in a chessboard tabard, the Athlone poursuivant and Ulster King of Arms. |
Yes, "pursuivant" as in "a junior heraldic officer", and thus connected with the College of Arms. John Parnell was Charles Parnell's brother; the tabard presumably refers to his liking for chess. ("Poursuivant" also literally, as in "following".)
| Quote: | | After them march the guilds and trades and trainbands with flying colours |
Yes; the guilds, etc., have their own banners and flags (or "colours"), and are accustomed to march periodically to the accompaniment of music while "flying" those banners and flags. "With flying colours" also suggests a triumphant jubilant progress.
Parades with banners and flags still take place in Ireland, and have complex political implications; as in these images, for instance.
All the best,
MrP |
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| Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:40 am Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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| Crystal clarity! Thank you, MrP. |
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Haihao
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| Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:04 am Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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Hi Ralf,
Many thanks for the information. I really like to know more about Ireland and her people, history and culture.
Haihao |
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Haihao
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| Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:11 am Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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I have another puzzle needing your light sheding:
| Quote: | | ...pineapple rock, billets doux in the form of cocked hats, readymade suits, porringers of toad in the hole, bottles of Jeyes' Fluid, purchase stamps... |
I guess that's some bonne bouche but have no idea what it is. I recall the phrase "Ace in the hole", which makes it the best toad porringers in the world? Sounds funny!
Thank you!
Haihao |
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Haihao
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| Wed Jul 23, 2008 13:11 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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Toad-in-the-hole's in the dictionary:
(British Cookery) a dish consisting of beef or pork sausages baked in a coating of batter.
-- which was a bit of a surprise for me, as my British niece used the phrase for an egg cracked into a piece of toast with a hole in the middle, and then the whole thing fried- a favorite breakfast for a child.
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| Wed Jul 23, 2008 14:37 pm Ulysses (James Joyce) - A literary discussion |
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Interesting and informative, MM. So, the toad refers to the form. My recall of "the ace in the hole" soundly failed me...
So good to hear the episode! |
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Haihao
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| What is "Four basic language skills"? | How much 'net speaking time' per lesson? |
