Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Disparition_2022 t1_j9bgpos wrote

The quoted passage, at the time it was written, was still considered fairly vulgar and while the book was popular in its day, there was definitely a fair amount of consternation about Joyce portraying bodily functions and sexual thoughts and acts at all even in this language that seems, to modern eyes, much less direct. At the time the book was written the Victorian era had only just ended ten years ago and a lot of the social mores of that period remained in place.

2

ddotcole OP t1_j9bhvyw wrote

I had to read it twice, then read it to a coworker to solidify my thought on what the line was saying.

1

Disparition_2022 t1_j9bioq6 wrote

Wait until you get to Ulysses, he goes way further, and plays around with a lot of different styles while doing so. It starts off as a direct sequel to Portrait and then focuses on a different character after a few chapters.

and if you want a glimpse of his mind "unfiltered" check out his letters to Nora.

2