II.1: The Mime (pp. 219–259)
The first chapter of Book II presents "The Mime of Mick, Nick and the Maggies"—a pantomime/play in which the children (Shem, Shaun, Issy) enact their eternal conflicts through games and riddles.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pages | 219–259 |
| Vico Age | Aristocratic (Age of Heroes) |
| Time | Evening, children playing |
| Setting | Outside HCE's pub |
| Main Characters | Glugg (Shem), Chuff (Shaun), The Floras/Maggies (Issy × 28) |
Synopsis
The Program (pp. 219–221)
A theater program lists the characters and their alternative identities as if for a pantomime performance.
The Children's Games (pp. 221–246)
Shem (as Glugg) and Shaun (as Chuff) play with Issy and her 28 schoolmates. They enact games that mirror the adult conflicts of the book.
The Three Riddles (pp. 223–233)
Glugg must guess the "selfcolours" of the girls. He fails three times due to poor eyesight (Shem's/Joyce's near-blindness).
Chuff Triumphant (pp. 233–246)
Shaun/Chuff emerges victorious. The girls prefer him.
Evening Prayer (pp. 246–259)
The children are called inside for prayers before bed.
The Program
The chapter opens with a theatrical program:
- MIME: The Mime of Mick, Nick and the Maggies
- Adopted from: The Ballymooney Bloodriddon Murther
- By: Bluechin Blackdillain
The characters are listed with multiple identities, emphasizing that everyone plays multiple roles.
Key Themes
1. Children's Games as Cosmic Drama
The children's play rehearses the eternal conflicts—Shem vs. Shaun, the battle for Issy—in game form.
2. The Third Generation
Book II focuses on the children's perspective. They are both subjects and narrators.
3. Glugg's Failure
Shem/Glugg cannot guess the riddles because:
- Poor eyesight (Joyce's blindness)
- Artistic detachment
- The artist's alienation from the social
4. Issy as Prize
The 29 girls (Issy split into 28+1) are the prize for which the brothers compete.
Notable Passages
The Program (p. 219)
"Feenichts Playhouse" (Phoenix + Fee-nichts, German for "not free")
Glugg's Riddles (pp. 223–233)
The three failed guesses.
The Evening Prayer (pp. 258–259)
"Loud, hear us! / Loud, graciously hear us!"
Characters in This Chapter
| Character | Appears As | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shem | Glugg | Failed riddler |
| Shaun | Chuff | Victor |
| Issy | The Floras / Maggies | Prize / 29 girls |
| HCE | Background | Sleeping father |
| ALP | Background | Mother calling them in |
Publication History
This section was published separately in 1934 as The Mime of Mick, Nick and the Maggies before the full Wake appeared in 1939.
Audio Resources
| Resource | Notes |
|---|---|
| One Little Goat | Video with subtitles |
| Patrick Healy reading | Complete audio |
| Waywords and Meansigns | Musical settings |
Reading Tips
- Treat it as theater — The program format is the key
- Track the twins — Glugg = Shem, Chuff = Shaun
- Watch for riddles — Glugg's failures are significant
- Note the shift — We're now in the children's world
Further Reading
- Campbell & Robinson, A Skeleton Key, Chapter 9 commentary
- McHugh, Annotations to Finnegans Wake, pages 219–259
- FWEET — Search "219.01" onward
See Also
- I.8: Anna Livia Plurabelle — Previous chapter
- II.2: Night Lessons — Next chapter