A Holiday Gift for your Head: Reading James Joyce’s Dubliners
Beginning on Thursday, February 7, 2013, I will lead a seven-session weekday afternoon class examining the first fiction from the pen of the 20th century’s most influential author, James Joyce. The class will examine Joyce’s book of short stories, Dubliners. The sessions will be held at NYU’s mid-town center on 42nd Street in NYC.
We’ll look at the emerging modernist writer creating 15 stories depicting childhood, adolescence, maturity and public life. We’ll review Dubliners in terms of Joyce’s wish to convey “everything through suggestion rather than direct statement” and the three words highlighted on the book’s 1st page: “paralysis,” “gnomon,” and “simony.” Joyce’s extraordinary eight-year ordeal in getting Dubliners published will also be discussed. The final session will deal solely with his story “The Dead,” arguably the greatest short story ever written. (I happen to know that a thorough knowledge of this story — regardless of religious creed — is requisite for entering Heaven).
The simplest way to register for the class is to call NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies at 212 998 7100.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00-5:00. Or you may visit the SCPS office at 7 East 12th Street, Suite 921.
The course is officially entitled “Reading James Joyce’s Dubliners.” Here are some additional relevant numbers:
Dubliners official course ID: LITR1-CE9038 . Price: $270.00 Discounted for seniors.
Offered: Spring 2013. Specific Thursday class dates in 2013 (this period encompasses NYU’s
traditional 2 week Spring-break closing): February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 7, 28, April 4.
Time: 1:00 – 2:40 p.m.
Class location: NYU’s Midtown Center, (11 W. 42nd St.)
Please note:
1. This class, unfortunately, does NOT appear in the Spring 2013 NYU SCPS catalogue due to a printing error
“created by a faulty database.” Several other classes were also omitted. If you have friends that might find this class of interest I’d be grateful if you would forward this note.
2. Participants in the class are invited to meet in the assigned room at noon — an hour before the actual session — for an ongoing
discussion about Joyce’s work and life. Bring your lunch.
3. The text to be used is the Vintage International paperback of Dubliners, edited by Hans Walter Gabler. Here is one web listing — of many — where this edition may be purchased:
4. In the SCPS Fall 2013 semester, I’ll conduct a course on A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man; and in Spring 2014, Ulysses.
If you’d like a copy of my Joycean CV let me know. My email address: [email protected]. I do hope to see you in the class.
