077.01 he should petrifake suchanevver while the contractors Messrs
077.02 T. A. Birkett and L. O. Tuohalls* were made invulnerably vener-
077.03 able) first in the west, our misterbilder, Castlevillainous, openly
077.04 damned and blasted by means of a hydromine, system,Sowan and
077.05 Belting, exploded from a reinvented T.N.T. bombingpost up
077.06 ahoy of eleven and thirty* wingrests (circiter) to sternbooard out
077.07 of his aerial thorpeto, Auton Dynamon, contacted with the ex-
077.08 pectant minefield by tins of improved ammonia lashed to her
077.09 shieldplated gunwale, and fused into tripupcables, slipping
077.10 through tholse and playing down from the conning tower into
077.11 the ground battery fuseboxes, all differing as clocks from keys
077.12 since nobody appeared to have the same time of beard, some
077.13 saying by their Oorlog it was Sygstryggs to nine, more holding
077.14 with the Ryan vogt it was Dane to pfife*. He afterwards whaan-
077.15 ever his blaetther began to fail off him and his rough bark was
077.16 wholly husky and, stoop by stoop, he neared it (wouldmanspare!)
077.17 carefully lined the ferroconcrete result with rotproof bricks and
077.18 mortar, fassed to fossed, and retired beneath the heptarchy of
077.19 his towerettes, the beauchamp, byward, bull and lion, the white,
077.20 the wardrobe and bloodied, so encouraging (insteppen, alls als
077.21 hats beliefd!) additional useful councils public with hoofd off-
077.22 dealings which were welholden of ladykants te huur out such as the
077.23 Breeders' Union, the Guild of Merchants of the Staple et, a.u.c. to
077.24 present unto him with funebral pomp, over and above that, a stone
077.25 slab with the usual Mac Pelah address of velediction, a very fair-
077.26 worded instance of falsemeaning adamelegy: We have done ours
077.27 gohellt with you, Heer Herewhippit, overgiven it, skidoo!
[077.28-078.06]: numerous bric-a-brac would follow — to ease his sojourn.
077.28 But t'house and allaboardshoops! Show coffins, winding sheets,
077.29 goodbuy bierchepes, cinerary urns, liealoud blasses, snuffchests,
077.30 poteentubbs, lacrimal vases, hoodendoses, reekwaterbeckers,
077.31 breakmiddles, zootzaks for eatlust, including upyourhealthing
077.32 rookworst and meathewersoftened forkenpootsies and for that
077.33 matter, javel also, any kind of inhumationary bric au brac for
077.34 the adornment of his glasstone honophreum, would, met these
077.35 trein of konditiens, naturally follow, halas, in the ordinary course,
077.36 enabling that roundtheworlder wandelingswight, did suches pass
Summary of Page 77 of Finnegans Wake
Page 77 of Finnegans Wake continues Joyce’s exploration of identity, memory, and the cyclical nature of history, themes central to the novel. The passage is dense with Hiberno-English, Irish cultural references, and linguistic playfulness. It blends Irish history, mythology, and universal themes of destruction, renewal, and societal order. Joyce’s use of sexual innuendo and humour is evident, as is his characteristic blending of languages and allusions to Irish placenames and philosophers. The text also reflects on the Irish experience of colonisation and cultural memory, as seen in references to battles and religious conflicts.
This underground heaven, or mole’s paradise, first of its kind in the west, was damned and blasted by means of a hydro-mine, which was exploded from a bombing post out of an aerial torpedo, which contacted with the expectant mine field by tins of improved ammonia that were lashed to her shield-plate gunwale and fused into trip-up cables, which latter slipped through tholes and played down from the conning tower into the ground-battery fuse boxes. The ferro-concrete result was then carefully lined with rot-proof brick and mortar. When the job was finished, the engineer who constructed it, the Master Builder himself, retired to the seven towers of his Castle Villainous; thus encouraging additional councils public to present unto him a stone slab bearing the inscription: “We have done with you, Heer Herewhippet, skidoo!”
Line-by-Line Analysis
077.01
he should petrifake suchanevver while the contractors Messrs
- Hiberno-English: “Petrifake” and “suchanevver” are playful distortions of “petrify” and “such a never,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of deception and transformation.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.02
T. A. Birkett and L. O. Tuohalls were made invulnerably vener-*
- Irish names: “Tuohalls” reference Laurence O'Toole with universal themes of strength and authority.
- Universal Themes: The “invulnerably venerable” resonates with themes of power and respect.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.03
able) first in the west, our misterbilder, Castlevillainous, openly
- Irish History: “Castlevillainous” may reference Irish castles, blending local history with universal themes of villainy and authority.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of leadership and societal order.
- Humour: “Misterbilder” is a humorous, exaggerated term referernce to Ibsen, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.04
damned and blasted by means of a hydromine, system,Sowan and
- Irish History: The “hydromine” may allude to Ireland’s industrial history, blending local customs with universal themes of destruction and renewal. Reference to Celtic Cross Quarter celebration days: start of Winter and the start of Summer.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of conflict and transformation.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.05
Belting, exploded from a reinvented T.N.T. bombingpost up
- Irish History: The “T.N.T. bombingpost” may reference Ireland’s history of military conflict, blending local history with universal themes of destruction.
- Universal Themes: The phrase evokes themes of war and renewal.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.06
ahoy of eleven and thirty wingrests (circiter) to sternbooard out*
- Irish Culture: The “wingrests” may reference Irish folklore, blending local mythology with universal themes of flight and freedom.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of movement and change. Ahoy of 1130 is a reference to 1132
- Humour: “Circiter” is a humorous, exaggerated term, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.07
of his aerial thorpeto, Auton Dynamon, contacted with the ex-
- Irish Mythology: “Auton Dynamon” may reference mythological figures, blending local folklore with universal themes of power and transformation.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of connection and action.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.08
pectant minefield by tins of improved ammonia lashed to her
- Irish History: The “minefield” may reference Ireland’s history of military conflict, blending local history with universal themes of danger and survival.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of risk and innovation.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.09
shieldplated gunwale,
- Irish History: The “shieldplated gunwale” may reference Irish naval history, blending local customs with universal themes of protection and conflict.
- Universal Themes: The phrase evokes themes of defence and strength.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
References to Irish History and Culture
- Battles/Colonisation: The “T.N.T. bombingpost” and “minefield” may symbolise Ireland’s history of military conflict and colonisation.
- Religion: The use of Latin (“circiter”) reflects the influence of Catholicism in Irish culture.
- Philosophers: The focus on transformation and renewal aligns with Irish philosopher George Berkeley’s ideas on perception and reality.
Universal Themes
- Destruction and Renewal: The “hydromine” and “T.N.T. bombingpost” evoke universal experiences of conflict and transformation.
- Power and Authority: The “invulnerably venerable” and “Castlevillainous” resonate with themes of leadership and societal order.
- Risk and Innovation: The “minefield” and “improved ammonia” reflect universal concerns about danger and progress.
Humour and Sexual Innuendo
- Humour: Phrases like “petrifake,” “misterbilder,” and “circiter” add levity through playful, exaggerated language.
- Innuendo: The “aerial thorpeto” carries subtle sexual undertones, typical of Joyce’s layered humour.
077.09-077.10
and fused into tripupcables, slipping through tholse and playing down from the conning tower into
- Hiberno-English: “Tripupcables” and “tholse” are playful distortions of “tripwires” and “holes,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of connection and movement.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.11
the ground battery fuseboxes, all differing as clocks from keys
- Irish History: The “ground battery fuseboxes” may reference Ireland’s industrial history, blending local customs with universal themes of technology and innovation.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of diversity and difference.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.12
since nobody appeared to have the same time of beard, some
- Irish Culture: The “time of beard” may reference Irish folklore, blending local mythology with universal themes of individuality and identity.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of uniqueness and perception.
- Humour: The phrase is humorous, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.13
saying by their Oorlog it was Sygstryggs to nine, more holding
- Irish Language: “Oorlog” (Dutch for “war”) reflects Joyce’s use of foreign languages, common in Irish Catholic liturgy. Also the Irish for the "hour of the clock" is "uair an chloig".
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of conflict and time.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.14
with the Ryan vogt it was Dane to pfife. He afterwards whaan-*
- Irish Placenames: “Ryan vogt” may reference Irish geography, blending local landscapes with universal themes of authority and order. Irish for poor is bocht.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of leadership and decision-making.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.15
ever his blaetther began to fail off him and his rough bark was
- Hiberno-English: “Blaetther” is a playful distortion of “blather,” reflecting colloquial Irish speech patterns.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of communication and decline.
- Humour: The phrase is humorous, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.16
wholly husky and, stoop by stoop, he neared it (wouldmanspare!)
- Irish Culture: The “stoop by stoop” may reference Irish rural life, blending local customs with universal themes of effort and perseverance.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of determination and progress.
- Humour: “Wouldmanspare” is a humorous, exaggerated term, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.17
carefully lined the ferroconcrete result with rotproof bricks and
- Irish History: The “ferroconcrete” may reference Ireland’s industrial history, blending local customs with universal themes of construction and durability.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of strength and permanence.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.18
mortar,
- Irish Culture: The “mortar” may reference traditional Irish construction, blending local customs with universal themes of building and stability.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of foundation and support.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
References to Irish History and Culture
- Battles/Colonisation: The “Oorlog” and “ground battery fuseboxes” may symbolise Ireland’s history of military conflict and industrial struggle.
- Religion: The use of foreign languages (“Oorlog”) reflects the influence of Catholicism in Irish culture.
- Philosophers: The focus on construction and durability aligns with Irish philosopher George Berkeley’s ideas on perception and reality.
Universal Themes
- Connection and Movement: The “tripupcables” and “playing down” evoke universal experiences of connection and progress.
- Diversity and Difference: The “all differing as clocks from keys” resonates with themes of individuality and perception.
- Determination and Progress: The “stoop by stoop” and “carefully lined” reflect universal concerns about effort and achievement.
Humour and Sexual Innuendo
- Humour: Phrases like “tripupcables,” “wouldmanspare,” and “blaetther” add levity through playful, exaggerated language.
- Innuendo: The “rough bark” carries subtle sexual undertones, typical of Joyce’s layered humour.
077.18
mortar, fassed to fossed, and retired beneath the heptarchy of
- Hiberno-English: “Fassed to fossed” is a playful distortion of “fast to forced,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of transition and retreat.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.19
his towerettes, the beauchamp, byward, bull and lion, the white,
- Irish Placenames: The “towerettes” and “beauchamp” (pronounced Beecham) refers to seven (of twenty-two) towers of the Tower of London: Beauchamp, Byward, Bell, Lion, White, Wardrobe, Bloody (the Lion Tower no longer exists) blending landscapes with universal themes of strength and authority.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of power and order.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.20
the wardrobe and bloodied, so encouraging (insteppen, alls als
- Irish History: The “wardrobe and bloodied” may reference Ireland’s history of military conflict, blending local customs with universal themes of conflict and encouragement.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of support and motivation.
- Humour: “Insteppen” and “alls als” are humorous, exaggerated terms, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.21
hats beliefd!) additional useful councils public with hoofd off-
- Hiberno-English: “Hoofd” (Dutch for “head”) reflects Joyce’s use of foreign languages, common in Irish Catholic liturgy.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of leadership and decision-making.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.22
dealings which were welholden of ladykants te huur out such as the
- Language: The “ladykants te huur” Dutch phrases: ik houd wel van: I am pleased with; houde van: to like; houden: to hold, to keep; ledikant: bed, bedstead; te huur: for hire, to let
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of trade and interaction.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.23
Breeders' Union, the Guild of Merchants of the Staple et, a.u.c. to
- Irish History: The “Breeders' Union” and “Guild of Merchants” may reference Ireland’s industrial history, blending local customs with universal themes of organisation and commerce.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of collaboration and trade.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.24
present unto him with funebral pomp, over and above that, a stone
- Irish Culture: The “funebral pomp” may reference Irish funeral traditions, blending local customs with universal themes of death and remembrance.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of ceremony and honour.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.25
slab with the usual Mac Pelah address of velediction, a very fair-
- Placenames: The “Mac Pelah” references Abraham who purchased the cave of Machpelah as his family tomb (Genesis 23:9), blending biblical landscapes with universal themes of farewell and legacy.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of memory and tribute.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.26
worded instance of falsemeaning adamelegy: We have done ours
- Hiberno-English: “Falsemeaning adamelegy” is a playful distortion of “false meaning” and “elegy,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of deception and memory.
- Humour: The phrase is humorous, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.27
gohellt with you, Heer Herewhippit, overgiven it, skidoo!
- Irish Language: “Heer” (Dutch for “sir”) reflects Joyce’s use of foreign languages, common in Irish Catholic liturgy.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of farewell and departure.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay. "skidoo!" is slang for go away!
References to Irish History and Culture
- Battles/Colonisation: The “wardrobe and bloodied” and “Breeders' Union” may symbolise Ireland’s history of military conflict and industrial struggle.
- Religion: The use of foreign languages (“hoofd” and “Heer”) reflects the influence of Catholicism in Irish culture.
- Philosophers: The focus on memory and tribute aligns with Irish philosopher George Berkeley’s ideas on perception and reality.
Universal Themes
- Transition and Retreat: The “fassed to fossed” and “retired beneath” evoke universal experiences of change and withdrawal.
- Power and Order: The “towerettes” and “beauchamp” resonate with themes of authority and structure.
- Memory and Tribute: The “funebral pomp” and “Mac Pelah address” reflect universal concerns about remembrance and legacy.
Humour and Sexual Innuendo
- Humour: Phrases like “fassed to fossed,” “insteppen,” and “skidoo” add levity through playful, exaggerated language.
- Innuendo: The “ladykants te huur” carries subtle sexual undertones, typical of Joyce’s layered humour.
077.28
But t'house and allaboardshoops! Show coffins, winding sheets,
- Hiberno-English: “T’house” and “allaboardshoops” are playful distortions of “the house” and “all aboard,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of death and preparation.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.29
goodbuy bierchepes, cinerary urns, liealoud blasses, snuffchests,
- Irish Culture: The “bierchepes” (Dutch bier a litter for carrying a corpse or a coffin to the grave) and “cinerary urns” may reference Irish funeral traditions, blending local customs with universal themes of death and remembrance.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of ceremony and finality.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.30
poteentubbs, lacrimal vases, hoodendoses, reekwaterbeckers,
- Irish History: The “lacrimal vases” and “reekwaterbeckers” may reference Ireland’s history of mourning practices, blending local customs with universal themes of grief and memory.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of mourning and preservation.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.31
breakmiddles, zootzaks for eatlust, including upyourhealthing
- Hiberno-English: “Zootzaks” and “upyourhealthing” are playful distortions of “sacks” and “up your health,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of sustenance and vitality.
- Humour: The phrase is humorous, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.32
rookworst and meathewersoftened forkenpootsies and for that
- Irish Culture: The “rookworst” and “meathewersoftened” may reference Irish cuisine, blending local customs with universal themes of nourishment and comfort.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of care and preparation.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.33
matter, javel also, any kind of inhumationary bric au brac for
- Irish Language: “Javel” may reference Irish folklore, blending local mythology with universal themes of memory and legacy.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of remembrance and tribute.
- Humour: The phrase is slightly mocking, adding a layer of irreverent humour.
077.34
the adornment of his glasstone honophreum, would, met these
- Irish Placenames: The “glasstone honophreum” may reference Irish geography, blending local landscapes with universal themes of beauty and honour.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of decoration and respect.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
077.35
trein of konditiens, naturally follow, halas, in the ordinary course,
- Hiberno-English: “Trein of konditiens” is a playful distortion of “train of conditions,” reflecting Joyce’s linguistic inventiveness.
- Universal Themes: The phrase resonates with themes of inevitability and order.
- Humour: The phrase is humorous, typical of Joyce’s style.
077.36
enabling that roundtheworlder wandelingswight, did suches pass
- Irish Mythology: The “wandelingswight” may reference mythological figures, blending local folklore with universal themes of travel and transformation.
- Universal Themes: The phrase reflects themes of movement and change.
- Humour: The phrase is playful, typical of Joyce’s wordplay.
References to Irish History and Culture
- Battles/Colonisation: The “inhumationary bric au brac” may symbolise Ireland’s history of conflict and remembrance.
- Religion: The use of foreign languages (“halas”) reflects the influence of Catholicism in Irish culture.
- Philosophers: The focus on memory and legacy aligns with Irish philosopher George Berkeley’s ideas on perception and reality.
Universal Themes
- Death and Preparation: The “coffins” and “winding sheets” evoke universal experiences of mortality and ceremony.
- Mourning and Memory: The “cinerary urns” and “lacrimal vases” resonate with themes of grief and remembrance.
- Movement and Change: The “wandelingswight” reflects universal concerns about travel and transformation.
Humour and Sexual Innuendo
- Humour: Phrases like “t’house,” “zootzaks,” and “wandelingswight” add levity through playful, exaggerated language.
- Innuendo: The “upyourhealthing” carries subtle sexual undertones, typical of Joyce’s layered humour.
Conclusion
Page 77 of Finnegans Wake exemplifies Joyce’s mastery of blending Irish history, culture, and universal themes with linguistic playfulness and humour. The passage invites readers to explore the layers of meaning beneath its surface, offering insights into destruction, renewal, and the human condition.
Commentary from Reading Finnegans Wake Facebook group:
On p77, as best I can tell, the how of getting HCE into the ground is described. The use of torpedoes makes me think Bishop IS right ... burial under a lake would be a heck of a lot tougher than traditional ground burial. A sort of elaborate tomb is manufactured absurdly. HCE is sent off to the hereafter - SKIDOO!
HCE's tomb is likened to the cave bought by the Jewish patriarch Abraham for his family ("... the usual Mac Pelah address ...").