"Sirens" and the fugue - need serious help

[Tallik]

Hi all,

I've been asked to write an M.A. paper comparing the Sirens episode to an interpretation of one of Bach's fugues. It is well known that Joyce based the episode on an eight voice fugue and I have found material discussing this, but I am having some serious trouble nevertheless. Moreover, I am supposed to find some psychoanalytic angle to tie all of this together. For starters, can anyone shed light on the Sirens episode in relation to the fugue?

Much obliged,

T.

[katdad]

I'd recommend some guidebooks as reference. First, try "James Joyce's Ulysses" by Stuart Gilbert. It's a old reliable book and has great insight.

Next, "Annotated Ulysses", which is a line by line commentary or concordance.

And be sure to use the 86 Gabler "corrected text" version of Ulysses. It's become the new standard reference.