We are having joyful moments in the Ulysses studies as we are challenged and asked to think anew about the nature of language, thought and the daily assault of life upon the body. I was speaking with a Salon participant recently about how one of the amazing aspects of Joyce’s work is to bend language to make you think about how your mind works: how perception, interior thought, the subconscious and the relational impressions are all part of the material of our understanding of who we are. Joyce somehow manages to play these threads in his narrative and reflect back to the reader how his presentation of a thinking, talking moving character illuminates our own.
But Ulysses is not the only happening in this New Year (still has that sheen of newness). The other Salon offerings are listed below…those without dates will be assigned dates in the coming weeks; if you are interested in any of these studies—PLEASE let me know of your interest and of preferred meeting time including a short intensive vs. longer weekly study format. Descriptions and registration for some can be found on the website; others will be posted. I always welcome requests…
· JAN 31ST Breaking out of the Music Box: lecture on the impact of Music and Protest Song by Salon member Geoff Brown and Barry Cohen free; 1 PM at City Lit room G08
· FEB. 6th Steady My Gaze Poetry book launch by Marie Elizabeth Mali
· FEB 24th The Sound and the Fury Salon Intensive 5-10:00 PM
· FEB 29, March 7 & 14: The Passion of New Eve Salon study co-facilitated by Dr. E. Welby
(two schedule choices: Wednesday evenings 8-10 PM, Thursday afternoons 1-3 PM)
· The Iliad with reflections from Christopher Logue’s War Music
I had offered this earlier in January but did not have enough takers; Liane Aukin and I would be interested in exploring the world of the Homeric hero and the paradoxes of immortal glory as illuminated in the gorgeous words of both Homer and Logue. If you are interested, please email me with your availability and I will organize this study to start in March.
· Bleak House by Charles Dickens
In the 200th birth year celebration of one of the original writers of social commentary, why not immerse yourself in the work that gave us Esther, Jarndyce, Skimpole, Lady Dedlock, miss Flite, Mr. Guppy and one of the few instances in literature of spontaneous human combustion.
· Richard III
Using the successful formula for the recent Measure for Measure study, we will meet for three consecutive weeks to study this play and plan a trip to see the RSC performance in Stratford: immersion in the world of the Bard for the weekend!
Contact me for questions or requests for any of the above…I look forward to seeing you in the pages!
