One book that impressed me most as a very young reader was written by James Joyce, an Irish writer who is considered one of the most influential and innovative modernists of the 20th century¹. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is his first novel, published in 1916, and it is a semi-autobiographical account of his youth and artistic development². The novel follows the life of Stephen Dedalus, a young man who struggles with his identity, his faith, and his artistic vocation in Ireland³. The novel is divided into five chapters, each corresponding to a different stage of Stephen’s growth, from childhood to adulthood. The novel is written in a stream-of-consciousness style, which reflects Stephen’s changing thoughts and emotions as he experiences the world around him⁴. The novel is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modern literature and a classic example of a bildungsroman, or a novel of education²..
Source: Conversation with Bing, 17/11/2023
(1) A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man / Author. https://bing.com/search?q=A+Portrait+of+the+Artist+as+a+Young+Man+author.
(2) A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Portrait_of_the_Artist_as_a_Young_Man.
(3) A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Portrait-of-the-Artist-as-a-Young-Man.
(4) A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – SparkNotes. https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/portraitartist/.
(5) goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7588.A_Portrait_of_the_Artist_as_a_Young_Man.
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“Finnegans Wake” is a novel written by James Joyce and published in 1939. It is known for its complex and experimental narrative style. The book is essentially a dreamlike exploration of the subconscious mind, where the boundaries between wakefulness and sleep are blurred.
The story primarily revolves around the character of Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker, often referred to as “HCE,” who is a publican in Dublin. The narrative is fragmented and disjointed, filled with wordplay, puns, and references to various mythologies, languages, and literary works. The novel is known for its intricate use of language and multilingual wordplay.
Throughout the book, the reader encounters a vast array of characters and scenarios, but it can be challenging to discern a linear plot. Instead, the novel flows in a circular and cyclical manner, suggesting that life and history are recurring patterns.
Overall, “Finnegans Wake” is a literary puzzle, often considered one of the most difficult and enigmatic works of 20th-century literature. It requires careful reading and interpretation, as it delves into themes of identity, language, history, and the human psyche while challenging conventional narrative structures.
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Bullies and Schools
One of my English Teachers at High School was a Bully those were the days! And he mentioned in a sub clause: Some students at Uni mis – spell the name James Joyce!
Before being called to the blackboard to write his name with white chalk, I was able to look the name up in my Duden under the table, had never heard the name JJ before in my country village 12km away from my High School in my small country town IZ!
There were cows & horses & sheep (like me), but no books!
This was burnt into my brain in 1963 and I learnt: Never ever bully someone in front of a group!
The Teacher | Peter H Bloecker
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And now follow this LINK to listen to some good MUSIC
… which is the REAL Language …
More here soon …. by Author Peter H Bloecker
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Bully the bully is a concept that suggests that the best way to deal with a bully is to stand up to them and show them that their behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It is based on the idea that bullies are insecure and cowardly, and that they will back off if they are confronted by someone who is confident and assertive. However, this concept may have negative consequences for both the victim and the bully.
The first step before confronting the Bully is always to prepare yourself carefully, chose the right place at the right time and make sure, you will be backed up by strong adults like good teachers.
Nota bene: To protect victims is important, however Bullies will find another victim.
Some of the drawbacks of the bully the bully strategy are:
- It may escalate the conflict and lead to more violence or aggression.
- It may reinforce the bully’s belief that power and dominance are the only way to get respect and attention.
- It may make the victim feel more angry, resentful, and vengeful, which can affect their mental health and well-being.
- It may not address the underlying causes of the bullying, such as the bully’s personal problems, family issues, or peer pressure.
- It may not help the victim develop the skills and strategies to cope with bullying in the future.
Therefore, it is not advisable for teachers or parents to encourage or endorse the bully the bully approach. Instead, they should use evidence-based strategies that are proven to be effective in preventing and responding to bullying. Some of these strategies are:
- Creating a positive and respectful school culture that values diversity and inclusion, and promotes social and emotional learning.
- Implementing a whole-school anti-bullying policy that clearly defines bullying, sets expectations and consequences, and provides support and resources for students, staff, and families.
- Teaching students how to recognise, report, and refuse bullying, and how to be upstanders who support and protect their peers who are being bullied.
- Using restorative practices, mediation, or other interventions that aim to resolve the conflict, repair the harm, and restore the relationships between the parties involved.
- Providing counselling, mentoring, or other forms of assistance to both the victims and the bullies, to help them deal with their emotions, improve their self-esteem, and develop their social skills.
These are some of the strategies that all good class teachers should know about bullying. They can help create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, and reduce the incidence and impact of bullying. For more information and resources on bullying prevention and response, you can visit the websites of the following organisations:
- NSW Department of Education
- South Australian Department for Education
- The Psychiatry Resource
- Psychology Today.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 17/11/2023
(1) Bullying prevention – NSW Department of Education. https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/attendance-behaviour-and-engagement/anti-bullying/educators/bullying-prevention.
(2) Bullying prevention and response support tools and resources for schools. https://www.education.sa.gov.au/schools-and-educators/health-safety-and-wellbeing/bullying-prevention-tools-and-resources/bullying-prevention-and-response-support-tools-and-resources-schools.
(3) The 3-Step Strategy for Dealing with Bullies – The Psychiatry Resource. https://psychiatryresource.com/articles/three-step-bully-strategy.
(4) Top Strategies for Handling a Bully | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brainstorm/201003/top-strategies-handling-bully.
(5) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/girl-crying-royalty-free-image/518118234.
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James Joyce wrote many other works besides A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Some of his most notable works are:
- Dubliners¹²: A collection of 15 short stories that depict the Irish middle class in the early 20th century. The stories explore themes such as class, religion, nationalism, and modernity. The last and longest story, The Dead, is considered one of the best short stories ever written.
- Ulysses¹²: A novel that parallels the episodes of Homer’s Odyssey in a modern setting. The novel follows the lives of Leopold Bloom, a Jewish advertising agent, his wife Molly, and Stephen Dedalus, the protagonist of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, on a single day in Dublin, June 16, 1904. The novel is famous for its experimental style, its use of stream of consciousness, and its exploration of various aspects of human experience.
- Finnegans Wake¹²: A novel that is considered one of the most difficult and complex works of literature ever written. The novel is a cyclical dream narrative that follows the lives of a Dublin family, the Earwickers, and their connections to various historical, mythical, and linguistic figures. The novel is written in a multilingual and pun-filled style that challenges the conventions of language and meaning.
Joyce also wrote three books of poetry, a play, letters, and occasional journalism. Some of his other works are:
- Chamber Music³: A book of 36 poems that express Joyce’s love for Nora Barnacle, his wife. The poems are lyrical and musical, and they reflect Joyce’s interest in Irish folk songs and Renaissance music.
- Giacomo Joyce³: A short prose work that recounts Joyce’s infatuation with a young student in Trieste, where he taught English. The work is written in a fragmentary and poetic style, and it reveals Joyce’s feelings of guilt, desire, and nostalgia.
- Finn’s Hotel³: A collection of 10 short pieces that Joyce wrote in 1923, before he started Finnegans Wake. The pieces are related to the themes and characters of Finnegans Wake, and they show Joyce’s experimentation with language and mythology.
- The Cat and the Devil³: A children’s book that Joyce wrote for his grandson, Stephen. The book is based on a French folk tale about a mayor who makes a deal with the devil to build a bridge. The book is humorous and playful, and it features illustrations by Richard Erdoes..
Source: Conversation with Bing, 17/11/2023
(1) James Joyce – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joyce.
(2) 7 Notable Works by James Joyce You Should Know | Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/the-7-best-books-by-james-joyce.
(3) James Joyce – Biography and Literary Works of James Joyce. https://literarydevices.net/james-joyce/.
(4) Books by James Joyce (Author of Dubliners) – Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5144.James_Joyce.
Last update on Fri 17 Nov 2023 by P H Bloecker
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Reception
James Joyce’s work was received with mixed reactions during his lifetime. Some of his early works, such as Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, were praised for their realistic and innovative portrayal of Irish life and culture. However, his later works, such as Ulysses and Finnegans Wake, were met with controversy, censorship, and legal battles. Many critics and readers found his experimental style, his use of stream of consciousness, and his exploration of sexuality and obscenity too challenging and offensive. Joyce had to publish his works abroad, mainly in Paris, and faced difficulties in finding publishers and distributors. He also had to deal with personal and financial problems, such as his failing eyesight, his family’s illnesses, and his exile from Ireland. Despite these hardships, Joyce also had many supporters and admirers, who recognized his genius and originality. He influenced many modernist writers, such as T. S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf, and Samuel Beckett. He also gained recognition from some literary awards, such as the Shakespeare Prize in 1930 and the Croix de la Legion d’Honneur in 1931. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1939, but he did not win. Joyce’s reputation and influence grew after his death in 1941, and he is now widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential writers of the 20th century¹²³⁴⁵.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 17/11/2023
(1) James Joyce and the Act of Reception – Cambridge University Press …. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/james-joyce-and-the-act-of-reception/6F66CA9A6A85DFDF0A58E8C64AE369F7.
(2) An introduction to Ulysses | The British Library. https://www.bl.uk/20th-century-literature/articles/an-introduction-to-ulysses.
(3) The Reception of James Joyce in Europe – Bloomsbury Publishing. https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/reception-of-james-joyce-in-europe-9780826458254/.
(4) 7 Notable Works by James Joyce You Should Know | Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/the-7-best-books-by-james-joyce.
(5) Joyce and world literature (Chapter 12) – James Joyce in Context. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/james-joyce-in-context/joyce-and-world-literature/8415B863E63795883527EE9681DFEA7E.
(6) undefined. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511485220.