The study establishes the nature and aims of Finnegans Wake as Menippean satire and interprets the Wake in that light. McLuhan examines Joyce's use of language, and in particular his use of ten hundred-lettered words (thunderclaps) "James Joyce's...
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The study establishes the nature and aims of Finnegans Wake as Menippean satire and interprets the Wake in that light. McLuhan examines Joyce's use of language, and in particular his use of ten hundred-lettered words (thunderclaps) "James Joyce's use of ten one hundred-letter words in Finnegans Wake has always been an intriguing feature of that novel. Eric McLuhan takes a new approach by placing the Wake in the tradition of Menippean satire, where language is used to shock and provoke. Seen in this light, Joyce's peculiar language and style become part of this Menippean tradition through his use of the linguistic 'thunderclap.'" "The Role of Thunder in Finnegans Wake is the first book to examine this strangest and most prominent aspect of the language of the wake, and explain its use in the context of classical Greek literature. Each thunderclap is a resonating logos that represents a transformation of human culture. McLuhan presents the thunders as encoding Joyce's study of ten major communications revolutions, ranging from neolithic technologies such as speech and fire, through cities, the railroad, and print, to radio, movies, and television. Seen in this fashion, Finnegans Wake is both an encyclopedia of the effects of technology in reshaping human culture and society, and a complete training course for detecting the changes in sensibility occasioned by new media."--Jacket
Includes bibliographical references (p. [326]-334) and index
Electronic document; Available by subscription via World Wide Web
Cynic SatireFinnegans Wake as Cynic Satire: An Ancient Attack on Modern CultureThe First Thunderclap: The First TechnologiesThe Second Thunderclap: The Prankquean: She (Stoops) to ConjureCourtship by Piracy -- The Third Thunderclap: HCE, The 'New Womanly Man'The Fourth Thunderclap: The Fall of the Garden ItselfThe Fifth Thunderclap: Belinda the HenThe Sixth Thunderclap: The Phoenix PlayhouseThe Seventh Thunderclap: RadioThe Eighth Thunderclap: Sound Film: The Royal WeddingThe Ninth Thunderclap: The Reciprocating EngineThe Tenth Thunderclap: Television: The Charge of the Light BrigadeConclusionApp. 1.On the Composition of the ThundersApp. 2.Outline of the Menippean Tradition
