Talk Back

[magpie]

I started training for a marathon in January. About the same time I
started reading this book. The marathon was May 28. I just finished the
book last week. Yes, it took me longer to read Portrait of the Artist then
to train, and run a marathon. It is difficult to admit that, especially
knowing malabar may read this.

The difficulty for me was realizing how ignorant I am of so many
things...history/latin/mythology/poetry/art (even Catholicism). Basically
everything you need to know to really understand and enjoy this book. But
I finally set my pride aside and read it anyway. It was a humbling
experience. And I did enjoy reading Stephen Dedalus' story...and his
discovery of himself as a poet/writer (the scene on the beach when he's
first making this realization was quite nice). I particularly enjoyed his
struggles with his faith. As a cultural catholic myself, much of this hit
home for me. Here is one of my favorite parts; after Stephen confesses his
lack of faith to his friend Cranny, Cranny asks if he intends to become a
protestant, to which Stephen replies:

"I said that I had lost the faith, but not that I had lost selfrespect. What kind of liberation would that be to forsake an absurdity which is
logical and coherent and to embrace one which is illogical and
incoherent?"

We can't deny that Stephen had a sense of humor...

[Bea]

you're still farther along on the joyce scale than I.

I have yet to finnish "The Doubliners" - because Joyce scares me.

lots.
_________________
I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.