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itself as a model of language in general, it focuses our attention specifically on semantic values. In other words, since FW is itself a metaphor for the process of unlimited semiosis, I have chosen it for metaphoric reasons as a field of inquiry in order to cover certain itineraries of knowledge more quickly. After this test we will be able to pass on to a more technical discourse that touches on the real linguistic mechanisms outside of the pilot text. |
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2.2. Mandrake Makes a Gesture |
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In part 3, chapter 3 of FW, Shaun, in the form of Yawn, undergoes a trial in the course of which the Four Old Men bombard him with questions. The Old Men say to Shaun: "Now, fix on the little fellow on my eye, Minucius Mandrake, and follow my little psychosinology, poor armer in slingslang."
4 James Atherton, who has identified an enormous number of bibliographical references hidden in FW, recognizes in this passage a clear reference to a father of the church, Minucius Felix, an author whom Joyce perhaps knew.5 But as for the meaning of /Mandrake/, he simply gives up: "I do not understand the allusion." The English meaning of /mandrake/ is a clue that only leads us to a dead end. |
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Probably Atherton had not thought of the world of comic strips (a world which Joyceas Richard Ellman informs us-knew very well through the daily comics in the newspapers of the time); otherwise, he would have realized that Mandrake could be Mandrake the Magician, the famous character of Lee Falk and Phil Davis. Joyce, who in FW resorted to cartoon characters such as Mutt and Jeff, for instance, could not have been ignorant of this character. Let us hypothesize that the Mandrake of the text is the Mandrake of the comic strips and see what comes of it. |
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Mandrake is a master of prestidigitation, a hypnotist, an illusionist. With a simple gesture (the recurrent phrase is "Mandrake makes a gesture"), his eyes glued to those of his adversary, Mandrake forces him to see nonexistent situations, to mistake the pistol in his hand for a banana, to hear objects talking. Mandrake the Magician is a master of persuasion, a master of diabolic tricks (even if he uses his 'white' magic for good); in short, he is a 'devil's advocate'. In this regard it is interesting to note that Minucius Felix, too, was an advocate, professionally speaking (Octavius is a harangue in favor of Christianity), and an apologist father, whose historic function was to convince the Gentiles of the truth of the Christian faith. |
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From this point on, the relation between the two characters, in the interior of the Joycean context, becomes crystal clear. |
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At issue in the passage under consideration is the struggle between the |
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