An overview of
Finnegans Wake
by James Joyce
2.Faber and Fabera
a.1939
Loud, heap miseries upon us yet entwine our arts with laughters low!
Shem
Finnegans Wake summarized (in two sentences or less)
In Finnegans Wake, James Joyce explores the dreamlike experiences of a Dubliner named Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker (HCE) and his family, weaving in themes of history, language, and Irish culture. The narrative is a cyclical, fragmented tapestry of voices and perspectives, making it both a nightmarish and poetic reflection on the complexities of human consciousness.
Finnegans Wake Trivia and/or (Un)fun Facts
17 Years in the Making: Joyce spent a whopping 17 years writing this behemoth. Talk about a labor of love. Or maybe madness.
Language Cocktail: The book is written in a mix of about 60 different languages. It's like the United Nations of literature; confusing, arduous, and inefficient.
Circular Structure: The book ends mid-sentence and begins mid-sentence, creating a loop that suggests the story is eternal and never-ending—like a Möbius strip, or a trip to the DMV.
Why Finnegans Wake Is Challenging
Language Gymnastics: Joyce didn't just bend language; he twisted, stretched, and folded it into origami. The book's written in a mix of languages, puns, and neologisms that are an enormous headache to tease apart.
Fragmented Narration: The narrative isn't just nonlinear; it's like a shattered mirror, reflecting bits and pieces of characters, themes, and even historical events.
Multiple Layers: On the surface, it's about a guy named HCE and his family, but dig deeper, and you'll find layers upon layers of symbolism, myth, debris, and cultural references.
Dream Logic: The book operates on dream logic, which means anything goes. E.g., at one point, Finnegan's wife attempts to serve his corpse for dinner. And that's not even the weirdest thing that happens.
Why Finnegans Wake Is Worth Reading
It's gotta be the circular structure. The book ends and begins mid-sentence, creating an infinite loop. It's like Joyce's way of saying life, history, and human experience are cyclical, always coming back to where they started. It's a mind-bending way to end a mind-bending book.
Who Finnegans Wake Is For
Linguistic Daredevils: If you love playing with language and decoding complex texts, this is your Everest.
Puzzle Solvers: If you get a kick out of solving intricate puzzles, the book's fragmented narrative and symbolism offer a literary labyrinth.
Literary Explorers: If you're into experimental literature that defies conventional storytelling, welcome to the Joyce jungle.
Mythology Buffs: The book is steeped in mythological references. If you're into that, you'll find plenty to geek out over.
Patient Philosophers: If you love pondering the big questions—life, death, history, consciousness—this book is a philosophical playground.
Joyce Enthusiasts: If you've already tackled "Ulysses" and lived to tell the tale, this is your next battlefield.
Masochists:
How to Read Finnegans Wake
Don't Go Solo: Seriously, consider joining a reading group or following a guide. This is one journey you might not want to take alone.
Embrace the Confusion: You're going to be lost, and that's okay. The book is designed to disorient. Just go with it.
Read Aloud: The sound and rhythm of the language are key. Reading aloud can help you catch nuances you might miss otherwise.
Take Notes: Keep a notebook handy for jotting down thoughts, questions, or even sketches. It'll help you keep track of your journey.
Break It Down: Don't try to devour this in one go. Take it chapter by chapter, or even page by page.
Consult Annotations: There are guides and annotated versions that can help you decode the text. No shame in seeking a little help.
Stay Open: Keep an open mind and let the text wash over you. Sometimes the feeling it evokes is more important than the literal meaning.
Celebrate Small Wins: Understood a sentence? Caught a reference? Give yourself a pat on the back. Every bit counts.
Take Breaks: This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. Maybe even an ultra-marathon. Take breaks to avoid burnout.
Have Fun: Remember, it's a book, not a prison sentence. Enjoy your time, however difficult it may be.
Discussion Questions about Finnegans Wake
Finnegans Wake Research Prompts for Postdocs:
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Narrative Cyclicity: How does the circular structure of "Finnegans Wake" challenge traditional notions of narrative closure and linearity?
Linguistic Polyphony: With its blend of over 60 languages, how does the text engage with theories of linguistic relativity and cultural semiotics?
Intertextual Dialogues: How does "Finnegans Wake" interact with other literary and mythological texts, from the Bible to "The Odyssey," in constructing its narrative?
Postcolonial Readings: Given Joyce's Irish background, how can "Finnegans Wake" be interpreted through a postcolonial lens, particularly in its linguistic subversion?
Psychoanalytic Perspectives: How does the dreamlike, fragmented narrative align with Freudian or Jungian theories of the unconscious?
Metatextuality and Self-Referentiality: Are there moments where the text becomes aware of its own complexity, and how does this affect reader engagement?
Gender and Sexuality: How does the text engage with issues of gender and sexuality, particularly through characters like Anna Livia Plurabelle?
Historical Layering: How does the text incorporate historical events and figures, and what does this add to its thematic depth?
Finnegans Wake Conversation Starters for Normal People:
- Circular Structure: The book starts and ends mid-sentence, creating a loop. What do you think Joyce is trying to convey with this structure?
Language Play: "Finnegans Wake" uses a mix of languages and made-up words. How does this affect your understanding or enjoyment of the text?
Dream Logic: The book operates like a dream or a stream of consciousness. How does this style impact your interpretation of the story?
Cultural References: The text is filled with allusions to history, mythology, and other literature. Did recognizing any of these enhance your reading experience?
Reader's Role: This isn't a book that you passively read; it demands engagement. How did the complexity of the text change your role as a reader?
Questions about Finnegans Wake that you can ask your dog:
- Sleepy Time: In the story, people are dreaming. What's the silliest dream you've ever had?
Funny Words: The people in the story use lots of funny and made-up words. Can you think of a funny word you'd like to say?
Going in Circles: The story starts and ends in the same way, like going in a circle. What's your favorite game that involves going in circles?
The Most Amusing Finnegans Wake Review I Can Find
I take no shame in admitting that I cannot read this book. I was defeated after three paragraphs:
What clashes here of wills gen wonts, oystrygods gaggin fishy-gods! Brékkek Kékkek Kékkek Kékkek! Kóax Kóax Kóax! Ualu Ualu Ualu! Quaouauh! Where the Baddelaries partisans are still out to mathmaster Malachus Micgranes and the Verdons cata-pelting the camibalistics out of the Whoyteboyce of Hoodie Head. Assiegates and boomeringstroms. Sod's brood, be me fear! Sanglorians, save! Arms apeal with larms, appalling. Killykill-killy: a toll, a toll. What chance cuddleys, what cashels aired and ventilated! What bidimetoloves sinduced by what tegotetab-solvers!
I can't even begin to decipher that nor do I have the patience or will to do so. I see what Joyce is doing; he is fucking around with words and having a blast, but I don't want any part of it. Is this modernism gone too far?
★☆☆☆☆
—Sean Barrs via Goodreads
—Sean Barrs via Goodreads