Ulysses Essay: Sexuality and Linguistic Versatility :: Joyce Ulysses Essays

Sexuality and Linguistic Versatility in Ulysses  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to discuss the relations between sexuality and linguistic versatility I have chosen the two female characters, Molly and Gerty. The major reason for this is because the female voice in Ulysses is heard at length on only two occasions but I would argue is very important. So important in fact, that Joyce chooses to conclude the novel with Molly’s monologue. I hope to convey some of the contrasts and similarities in these differing monologues (despite the fact that in Gerty’s case it is technically not ever her monologue). In addition, I have tried to take into account that one is perceiving relations between female sexuality and linguistic versatility through the eyes of a man. Molly’s monologue is in the form of a soliloquy as opposed other forms of internal monologue. Molly’s monologue in common with Gerty’s is frequently rambling. Inevitably, it leads one to suppose that neither Molly nor Gerty has had much formal education. But the style of Molly’s monologue is that of colloquial speech. There is also an absence of punctuation in Molly’s monologue, which has the affect of speeding up ones reading tempo. Because of this, one feels that the language is explorative and exclamatory. About one quarter of all "becauses" in Ulysses are found in the episode ‘Penelope’ which consists entirely of Molly’s monologue. In both Molly’s and Gerty’s monologue the over use of "because" gives a superficial logic to their train of thought: "Like that one denying it up to my face and singing about the place in the WC too because she knew she was too well off yes because he couldn’t possibly do without it that long." Significantly well over another quarter of "becauses" are found in the first part of Nausicaa which concerns Gerty: "..but this was altogether different from a thing like that because there was all the difference because she could almost feel him draw her face to his and the first quick hot touch of his handsome lips." I think the over use of "and" give a flow to both their monologues. The ebb and flow of thoughts strongly relates to the movement and flow of the sea, which seems to have a great prominence in both these episodes. I think the language is relating to us a difference between men and women, namely that women are less rational than men are.