Prose Passage #2 Chart Text Metaphor The figure seated on a large boulder at the foot of a round tower (Ulysses,

296) Hyperbole From shoulder to shoulder he measured several ells and his rocklike mountainous knees were covered with a strong growth of tawny prickly hair in hue and toughness similar to the mountain gorse. (Ulysses, 296) Allusion to Cyclops From shoulder to shoulder he measured several ells and his rocklike mountainous knees were covered with a strong growth of tawny prickly hair in hue and toughness similar to the mountain gorse. (Ulysses, 296) Switch between elevated and colloquial diction A couched spear of acuminated granite rested by him while at his feet reposed a savage animal of the canine tribe whose stertorous gasps announced that he was sunk in uneasy slumber So anyhow Terry brought the three pints Joy was standing and begob the sight nearly left my eyes when I saw him land out a quid. (Ulysses, 297) Switch between combined words to single words to describe the citizen produces irony broadshouldered deepchested stronglimbed frankeyed redhaired freely freckled shaggybeareded widemouthed largenosed longheaded deepvoiced hero (Ulysses, 296) Comment on Irish nationalism And look at this blasted rag, says he. Look at this, says he. The Irish Independent, if you please, founded by Parnell to be the workingmans Meaning Most of the beginning of this passage is devoted to establishing the absurdity of the characters in size and manner to give them the appearance of the Cyclops to which they parallel. This is mostly established through metaphors, hyperboles, and irony present through the text.

Linguistic

Semantic

The allusions to the Cyclops from the Odyssey given further depth to the characters by establishing them as significantly unintelligent people, and associate a negative image to them. They are further depicted as untrusting and cruel and tune the reader into cautiously taking in their words. The switch between the elevated diction used to describe the characters and the scene, and the colloquial language used by the narrator produces an incredibly exaggerated significance between their appearance and their words. The change in diction causes a sense of distrust in the men; while they seem huge, their attitudes and words are not to be trusted, for there is a significance between who they appear to be and who they really are. The absurdity resulting from the change in diction indicates that they themselves are absurd. The switch between the combined words and then the final word hero creates mockery of the final word. Its the final word, out by itself at the end of the sentence following a long list of double words that creates a sense of absurdity again. The break in rhythm at the end by the final word throws the absurdity of the beginning of the sentence even more out of proportion. Once again, the idea of the diminished Irish culture under the British influence comes up. The citizen mocks the established Irish paper, commenting on the fact that its supposed to be the workingmans friend. He tone indicates

Structural

Cultural

friend. (Ulysses, 298) seastones were graven with rude yet striking art the tribal images of many Irish heroes and heroines of antiquity. (Ulysses, 296) Characters going to cause trouble for Bloom based on the ending of the Cyclops episode with Odysseus

that he believes otherwise. All of these Irish heroes and heroines graved onto stone seem humorous in the context established by Joyce; he is commenting on the fact that Irish culture is displaced and made fun of.