Wandering And Otherness: James Joyce's Imaginary Jew

James Joyce's Ulysses, published in 1922 and still considered one of the most important works of modernist literature, transposed Homer's Odyssey to early-20th century Ireland, but featured a Jewish character, Leopold Bloom, as its hero. Why? Though Joyce was almost certainly not making any direct statement on the contemporary Jewish experience, he identified, to some extent, with Jewishness as a marker of wandering and otherness. We will examine, in particular, chapter twelve of the book, "The Cyclops", an extended barroom meditation on nationalism and the outsider, love, "force, hatred, history, and all that", and explore how Joyce deploys his imaginary Jew in the midst of this fray. Along the way, you will also get a gentle introduction to this intimidating but delightful masterwork!

This class is being offered to mark the third yortseit of Sidney Feshbach, grandfather of Mimi Farb, and a noted Joyce scholar.

Note: No prior experience required. Participants are not expected to have read Ulysses.

Rabbi Benjamin Weiner is the spiritual leader of the Jewish Community of Amherst, in Western Massachusetts, where he lives with his family on their homestead farm. He holds a Masters of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, where he wrote his thesis on the prose of Samuel Beckett and its debt to Joyce's Ulysses.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.