Literary and Narrational In/Validities

Abstract

The allusive methods favoured by the modernist poets — and utilised by Joyce as well — prove upon examination to be unusually diverse, handled quite individually by each practitioner. Yet the basic assumption remains that if the original source can be located, its ‘meaning’ isolated and determined, and its applicability to the new text illustrated, a neatly constructed unit becomes apparent that establishes a specific meaning within the new text, enlarging the operative ‘context’. Characterising Joyce’s allusive method, however, has often eluded the allusionists, although the principle of direct confrontational usage continues to define the methodology. What must we know about Dante Alighieri to be able to appreciate ‘the spiritual-heroic refrigerating apparatus’ that Stephen so caustically credits him with having ‘invented and patented in all countries’ (AP, p. 252)? Will Dante’s heroic effort to sublimate Eros in favour of Agape in his appreciation of pre-nubile Beatrice Portinari suffice to substantiate a similar transition in Stephen’s attitude toward Emma, even if we acknowledge that Stephen’s is rather disingenuous and forced? Direct application would endow Stephen Dedalus with Dante’s perfected spiritualism, but his ironic tone favours an inexact application, no matter how sincere his love for Dante might otherwise appear.