Thursday, May 1, 2008
Molly
Molly’s thoughts race, she makes inaccurate assumptions, and I think these elements of her characterization contribute to Nabokov’s suggestion that numerous meager poets were inspired by her narrative. Molly articulates the gross misstatements that occur to her at a whim. She progresses from one idea to another too quickly, leaving each idea unexplored and unquestioned-- which is dangerous, because a lot of the sentiments are self-deprecating. She is overly concerned about her weight, age, clothes, and sexuality. Her misstatements are delivered in an ungraceful tone-- this may have contributed to Nabokov’s suggestion that she is vulgar, in addition to the crass way in which she discusses her sexuality.
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Interesting that Nabokov found her vulgar. I don't find her too vulgar, just very frank about matters of sex, like practical Bloom. That showed me what a good fit for each other they were. They also have some similar thoughts; Molly wonders what time it is in China, which is reminiscent of Bloom wondering how to jump around the globe and beat time.
About her progressing from ideas quickly, and her self deprecating statements: I wrote on my blog that Molly seems to be pure body. Her thoughts are obsessed with her own body and sexual acts. The only jobs she could get are that of a wet nurse or a nude model. Do you think Joyce is just being a misogynist or do you think this might help bridge the gap between the ideal and the bodily?
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