I’m currently reading Dubliners and, as a brazilian who knows nothing about Irish culture, these analysis has helped me a lot to truly understand theses stories!
All the stories in this collection accomplishes so much with such a short amount of page space. Araby is one of my favorite short stories ever written. So glad you are going threw them all. And I agree, if it is not my favorite collection of stories, it would for sure make my top five.
Great job guys! I honestly enjoy your videos and you help me so much to make my presentation about "Dubliners"- "theme of loneliness in "Clay" and in "Painful Case" . I am looking forward to your new videos. Greetings from Georgia
One likely conclusion is that she was a single mother. When the narrator mentions that she was a nurse, what can be extracted is that, in fact, she was a wet-nurse. And, if she was able to perform this role, she became pregnant without having been married, scandalous for the time. A darker interpretation is that she never had children. In fact, she, having the facial aspects of a witch, never got a man who wanted her. So she failed to fulfill her role in the world as a wife and mother. At this point in the story, she was already middle-aged and probably couldn't have children anymore, or was close to it. Her name is a clear reference to the mother of Jesus. There are two main female archetypes, that of the mother, maternal, and that of the sexual partner, seductress, which are opposites that complement each other. Although no one even likes to think of their mother in a sexual way, everyone knows that their mother had to be seen by their father as the opposite figure so that, nine months later, she could give birth. But Maria, mother of the Word who became flesh, gets the feat of being one without being the other. She is the Mother herself par excellence. But the other Maria cannot perpetuate her blood in the world. The clay not only portends an imminent death, but that she is already dead inside. The music she sings marble columns that may, in her case, define not a mansion, as composer Michael Balfe imagined, but a crypt. It is also possible to speculate that she even got pregnant, but got an abortion and, therefore, could be a wet nurse, but did not create life herself. Clay represents, contrary to the other interpretations, the material from which the first man was made, and therefore the beginning of life. She, who was able to give rise to one, failed to do so when she aborted and became herself a tomb for the life that never came out of her. And, of course, there is the interpretation that Joe is her secret son. Whatever it is, she most probably was a single mother, and that's why she was in that institution. Another curious sidenote is that Joe is for Joseph, Maria's husband and stepfather of Jesus. While Joe's brother, Alphy, is probably for Alfred, that in old english means "wise elf". So, these two brothers who fought, one gets a christian name and the other, a pagan one. Almost as if it was a metaphor for the conflict between Catholicism and celtic traditions in Ireland. But I'm probably stretching it.
_First!_ Oooooo, I've been waiting for this 😎☘️🤓 7:10 "Mostly Irish" Krypto's remark about a "peacemaker" being a gun! Interesting ... Bobbie's carry clubs alone: Ireland doesn't have guns like America. _LOTS_ of religious refs, huh?!? Loved the conversation about the Irish cake game "saucers," guys. Remember, the clerk was rude to her; people on the bus were rude, too. You've inspired me to do "Grace," again, today! Thx, fellows!!! ☘️🇮🇪🍀
hey! I'm preparing a presentation about Clay, and at the beginning of the video you say that James Joyce allegedly wrote this about his distant cousin who at the time worked at Dublin by Lamplight, I tried to find a source for that but can't find any... Can you tell me where you got that info from?😊 Thank you for the interesting video!
Uh oh. I hope I didn't make a mistake if you can't find anything. I used Richard Ellman's biography. Ellmann, R. (1982). James Joyce. New York : Oxford University Press.
Guys, you missed one that I know-it's where people come together to eat. This is a Foster reference, where any literary dining event symbolically represents socializing and building relationships. A random dinner event in literature would be boring unless it serves a purpose. And we're talking about Joyce here, sooo... Furthermore, they were sure she would get the ring cake from the barmbracks. And when you guys said that plum cakes could signify marriage... Then, her forgetting the cakes might further hint to the peace-maker life that she is heading too (That too when she was WITH the gentleman). I HOPE YOU GUYS SEE THIS COMMENT.
My thoughts were that the game was a representation of her legacy, in the end all she will be is dirt, with no more significance than that(no descendants or lover etc.). When they remove the clay from the game to make it less grim, she winds up with the bible. It’s an easier pill to swallow saying that she will spend eternity with God instead. Could also reference her current legacy of attending mass and being the peace maker etc. I am very tired I could have phrased this terribly but I hope you understand what I’m getting at.
I read Dubliners a little less than two years ago, but I honestly can't remember anything about this story. Other stories still stand out vividly to me though. I guess this was one of the weaker stories of the lot.
Dubliners Playlist: th-cam.com/video/IHPENyJSot0/w-d-xo.html
Support Us: www.patreon.com/thecodexcantina
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
0:37 Context
2:55 Plot Summary
4:23 Analysis
16:49 Wrap Up and Ratings
Thank you for this. This is wonderful.
I read Dubliners in university a few years ago, but we only did a cursory analysis of it. I'm so glad I found your channel! Greetings from Cyprus 🇨🇾
There’s so much to Joyce stories, I feel like I could revisit them from so many angles!
I’m currently reading Dubliners and, as a brazilian who knows nothing about Irish culture, these analysis has helped me a lot to truly understand theses stories!
Glad it could help
All the stories in this collection accomplishes so much with such a short amount of page space. Araby is one of my favorite short stories ever written. So glad you are going threw them all. And I agree, if it is not my favorite collection of stories, it would for sure make my top five.
You are good peoples.
Thank you for this! Great discussion.
You guys are a natural, Great analysis on Clay!
Thanks!
Happy Bloomsday, lads!
👌
Great job guys! I honestly enjoy your videos and you help me so much to make my presentation about "Dubliners"- "theme of loneliness in "Clay" and in "Painful Case" . I am looking forward to your new videos. Greetings from Georgia
Thanks, cheers!
Excellent video! Who knew a short story could teach you so much about a culture? I may have to get into some short stories!
No one can stop you
A very innovatice way of analysis, smooth and easy!
🙏
Great, guys.
❤️
Okay. I think you’ve finally covered a story that will hook me into reading James Joyce. I need to read this for myself and see what I pull from it. 🍀
Not starting from the beginning eh?
@@TheCodeXCantina I’m from Mississippi - we do everything backwards
One likely conclusion is that she was a single mother. When the narrator mentions that she was a nurse, what can be extracted is that, in fact, she was a wet-nurse. And, if she was able to perform this role, she became pregnant without having been married, scandalous for the time. A darker interpretation is that she never had children. In fact, she, having the facial aspects of a witch, never got a man who wanted her. So she failed to fulfill her role in the world as a wife and mother. At this point in the story, she was already middle-aged and probably couldn't have children anymore, or was close to it. Her name is a clear reference to the mother of Jesus. There are two main female archetypes, that of the mother, maternal, and that of the sexual partner, seductress, which are opposites that complement each other. Although no one even likes to think of their mother in a sexual way, everyone knows that their mother had to be seen by their father as the opposite figure so that, nine months later, she could give birth. But Maria, mother of the Word who became flesh, gets the feat of being one without being the other. She is the Mother herself par excellence. But the other Maria cannot perpetuate her blood in the world. The clay not only portends an imminent death, but that she is already dead inside. The music she sings marble columns that may, in her case, define not a mansion, as composer Michael Balfe imagined, but a crypt. It is also possible to speculate that she even got pregnant, but got an abortion and, therefore, could be a wet nurse, but did not create life herself. Clay represents, contrary to the other interpretations, the material from which the first man was made, and therefore the beginning of life. She, who was able to give rise to one, failed to do so when she aborted and became herself a tomb for the life that never came out of her. And, of course, there is the interpretation that Joe is her secret son. Whatever it is, she most probably was a single mother, and that's why she was in that institution. Another curious sidenote is that Joe is for Joseph, Maria's husband and stepfather of Jesus. While Joe's brother, Alphy, is probably for Alfred, that in old english means "wise elf". So, these two brothers who fought, one gets a christian name and the other, a pagan one. Almost as if it was a metaphor for the conflict between Catholicism and celtic traditions in Ireland. But I'm probably stretching it.
Well I find if there’s one place to push interpretations, it’s with Joyce. Thanks for sharing a thoughtful approach.
_First!_ Oooooo, I've been waiting for this 😎☘️🤓 7:10 "Mostly Irish" Krypto's remark about a "peacemaker" being a gun! Interesting ... Bobbie's carry clubs alone: Ireland doesn't have guns like America. _LOTS_ of religious refs, huh?!? Loved the conversation about the Irish cake game "saucers," guys. Remember, the clerk was rude to her; people on the bus were rude, too. You've inspired me to do "Grace," again, today! Thx, fellows!!! ☘️🇮🇪🍀
Yep 👍
Thanks, Allen. Had a lot of fun researching some things on it.
@@TheCodeXCantina We've got our Ellmann and Gifford!
Thank you! I never played the game so I didn’t really get the story
👍
hey! I'm preparing a presentation about Clay, and at the beginning of the video you say that James Joyce allegedly wrote this about his distant cousin who at the time worked at Dublin by Lamplight, I tried to find a source for that but can't find any... Can you tell me where you got that info from?😊 Thank you for the interesting video!
Uh oh. I hope I didn't make a mistake if you can't find anything. I used Richard Ellman's biography.
Ellmann, R. (1982). James Joyce. New York : Oxford University Press.
@@TheCodeXCantina wow, thank you so much for your quick reply! Have a nice day🌼
Great job! Thanks
Cheers
Guys, you missed one that I know-it's where people come together to eat. This is a Foster reference, where any literary dining event symbolically represents socializing and building relationships. A random dinner event in literature would be boring unless it serves a purpose. And we're talking about Joyce here, sooo... Furthermore, they were sure she would get the ring cake from the barmbracks. And when you guys said that plum cakes could signify marriage... Then, her forgetting the cakes might further hint to the peace-maker life that she is heading too (That too when she was WITH the gentleman).
I HOPE YOU GUYS SEE THIS COMMENT.
Did ye do any video on Grace from this collection
I think we have that one planned next.
@@TheCodeXCantina I look forward to seeing it I hope it's soon it was a tough read for me towards the end
My thoughts were that the game was a representation of her legacy, in the end all she will be is dirt, with no more significance than that(no descendants or lover etc.). When they remove the clay from the game to make it less grim, she winds up with the bible. It’s an easier pill to swallow saying that she will spend eternity with God instead. Could also reference her current legacy of attending mass and being the peace maker etc. I am very tired I could have phrased this terribly but I hope you understand what I’m getting at.
Very cool. I appreciate that view on it.
Would y’all be willing to do a show concerning Candid by Voltaire? Thank you for your consideration
Perhaps. We're a bit backlogged on things now.
Just another possible reference to add. Maria’s name is obviously similar to Mary, a virgin mother according to Catholic theology.
👍
More Joyce nice
Making our way through all of Dubliners...
I read Dubliners a little less than two years ago, but I honestly can't remember anything about this story. Other stories still stand out vividly to me though. I guess this was one of the weaker stories of the lot.
I don’t think I remembered anything going back into it either 😆
Are you sure its not a cake joke?
Ha, that's great. Cake makes it funnier
Clay = dog gic?
Thanks a lot