44 (U555.439)

fourthly, distraction resultant from compassion for Nelly Bouverist’s non-intellectual, non-political, non-topical expression

44th cast. page 555, line 439.

fourthly, distraction resultant from compassion for Nelly Bouverist’s non-intellectual, non-political, non-topical expression of countenance and concupiscence caused by Nelly Bouverist’s revelations of white articles of non-intellectual, non-political, non-topical underclothing while she (Nelly Bouverist) was in the articles:

 

Episode17 proceeds in a pedantic question-and-answer style from beginning to end.

 

Here is a part of the answer to the question as to why Mr. Bloom could not write the lyrics to the song Sinbad the Sailor . There are six reasons, and this is the fourth. The insert song was supposed to include a topical theme.

 

In general, pantomime means a performance in which a wall or door that does not actually exist is shown with gestures as if it were there, but in the UK, pantomime is a comedy with popular songs, dances and jokes. They are performed mainly during the Christmas season. A girl dressed as a man and a man dressed as a woman play the leading roles.

 

Mr Bloom stopped writing lyrics because even if he struggled to come up with topical lyrics, the audience would be too distracted by Nelly's appearance and underwear to listen to them.

Compassion and concupiscence, 

expressions and revelations,　　

are couplet.

 

Nelly Bouverist, non-intellectual, non-political and non-topical  are repeated.

 

The word "articles" is used twice. The first is a numerical noun for clothing (it is plural, so it means that you can see underwear many times), but the latter's meaning is not clear. It doesn't seem to be 'wearing underwear'. Nor would it be 'in the act of performing'.

"articles" has the meaning of 'annual contract'. I think this is the meaning here. She was “under contract”

 

Then I realised that this could be a gag by Joyce, using the two meanings of articles, that Nellie is being made to act in such a way that her underwear is shown in accordance with the terms of the contract.

 

According to Gifford's notes, Nelly Bouverist is a composite of the two lead actresses Kate Neverist and Nellie Bouverie. 

 

I searched for Kate Neverist but could not find her; Nellie Bouverie was found.She played the role of Whinbad the Whaler in Sinbad the Sailor in Dublin at Christmas 1892.

 

Whinbad the Whaler appears at the end of Episode 17.

 

”Sinbad the Sailor and Tinbad the Tailor and Jinbad the Jailer and Whinbad the Whaler and Ninbad the Nailer and Finbad the Failer and Binbad the Bailer and Pinbad the Pailer and Minbad the Mailer and Hinbad the Hailer and Rinbad the Railer and Dinbad the Kailer and Vinbad the Quailer and Linbad the Yailer and Xinbad the Phthaile.”

（U607.1-）

 

Cover of the brochure for the pantomime Sinbad the Sailor, performed at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, on Christmas Day 1892.

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