Finnegans Wake Notes

429-31: Jaun rests along the road and meets the 29 girls from St. Bride's

431-32: Jaun's preamble addressed to his sister 

432-39: Jaun delivers his moralizing sermon 

439-41: Jaun singles out Issy for his sermon on sex 

441-44: Jaun berates Shem the seducer 

444-45: Jaun admonishes Issy with sadistic fury 

445-46: Jaun's tirade turns into a sweet declaration of affection 

446-48: Jaun campaigns for civic improvement 

448-52: Jaun pays court to Issy with assurances of his success in business

452-54: Jaun ends his sermon 

454-57: Jaun adds a gastronomic postscript 

457-61: Issy replies in an amorous letter 

461-68: The departing Jaun introduces her to his brother

468-69: Jaun finally takes his leave 

469-73: St. Bride's girls bid farewell to Haun, the ghost of Jaun

Analysis of Finnegans Wake, Page 429

Summary

Page 429 is centred on Jaun, one of the incarnations of HCE, as he pauses during his nocturnal journey. The narrative paints a vivid picture of Jaun resting by a weir, blending physical comedy with lyrical description. This page delves into themes of weariness, transformation, and identity, filtered through Joyce's wordplay and deeply embedded cultural and historical references. It is rich with Hiberno-English expressions, references to Irish culture and geography, and philosophical musings. The text also showcases Joyce’s penchant for playful sexual innuendo and humour.

Detailed Analysis

429.01–429.03

"Jaunty Jaun, as I was shortly before that made aware, next halted to fetch a breath, the first cothurminous leg of his nightstride being pulled through..."

• Characterisation of Jaun: Jaun is described as "Jaunty," suggesting a lighthearted, confident air, though this is undercut by his exhaustion ("halted to fetch a breath"). The juxtaposition of cheerfulness and weariness captures the dual nature of his character.
• Hiberno-English: "Cothurminous" (from "coterminous") playfully hints at continuity and connection, reflecting Jaun’s journey through both physical and metaphysical realms.

429.04–429.05

"...and to loosen (let God's son now be looking down on the poor preambler!) both of his bruised brogues..."

• Religious undertone: The plea for divine compassion adds a touch of humour and pathos to Jaun’s weary state, echoing the tradition of invoking saints in Irish speech.
• Brogues: A nod to Irish footwear, symbolising Jaun’s rootedness in Irish culture.

429.06–429.08

"...at the weir by Lazar's Walk... noted for his humane treatment of any kind of abused footgear..."

• Irish geography: "Lazar's Walk" may evoke a Lazarus-like rebirth or transformation, aligning with the theme of renewal in Finnegans Wake.
• Humour: The idea that Jaun is “noted for his humane treatment of... abused footgear” personifies his shoes, adding a comic touch.

429.09–429.13

"...you could planemetrically see, when I took a closer look at him, that was to say, (gracious helpings, at this rate of growing our cotted child of yestereve will soon fill space and burst in systems, so speeds the instant!)..."

• Dreamlike perspective: The narrator’s “planemetric” observation blends surreal, cosmic imagery with an intimate focus on Jaun.
• Transformation: Jaun is "amply altered for the brighter," symbolising personal or spiritual evolution, a recurring motif in the text.

429.14–429.16

"...perspiring but happy notwithstanding his foot was still asleep on him, the way he thought, by the holy januarious, he had a bullock's hoof in his buskin..."

• Humour: The exaggerated description of Jaun's numb foot as a "bullock's hoof" adds physical comedy.
• Irish colloquialism: "Holy januarious" (St. Januarius) reflects Irish speech patterns and the frequent invocation of saints.

429.17–429.19

"...through Ireland untranscended, bigmouthed poesther, propped up, restant, against a butterblond warden of the peace..."

• Satire: The "butterblond warden" likely refers to a comically inept policeman, Sigurdsen, whose appearance and actions are exaggerated for effect.
• Irish policing: The reference to a "warden of the peace" resonates with historical tensions surrounding law enforcement in Ireland.

429.20–429.24

"...who, buried upright like the Osbornes, kozydozy, had tumbled slumbersomely on sleep at night duty behind the curing station..."

• Humour: The policeman, supposed to be on duty, is found asleep, embodying inefficiency and offering a subtle critique of authority figures.
• Historical reference: "The Osbornes" may allude to a tomb or burial tradition, adding a macabre humour to the scene.

Key Themes

Hiberno-English:

• The page is steeped in Irish speech patterns and idioms, such as "holy januarious" and "kozydozy," which infuse the text with a distinctly Irish voice.

Irish Placenames and Culture:

• References to "Lazar’s Walk" and other elements ground the scene in an Irish setting, connecting the personal journey of Jaun with the broader cultural landscape.

Humour and Innuendo:

• Joyce’s playful descriptions, such as the "bullock’s hoof in his buskin" and the "butterblond warden," reveal his comedic sensibility.

Transformation and Identity:

• Jaun’s rest and introspection by the weir symbolise a moment of transition, reflecting the book’s cyclical exploration of identity.

Philosophical Undertones:

• The text meditates on cosmic growth ("burst in systems") and the human condition, weaving the personal with the universal.

Conclusion

Page 429 exemplifies Joyce’s genius in intertwining humour, cultural specificity, and profound themes within a richly textured narrative. Through Jaun’s journey, the passage captures the absurdity and resilience of human experience, set against the backdrop of Irish culture and history. The page’s linguistic innovation and layered allusions underscore the complexities of Finnegans Wake, inviting readers to engage with its kaleidoscopic vision of life.