III.2: Jaun's Sermon (pp. 429–473)
The second chapter of Book III presents Shaun—now "Jaunty Jaun"—delivering a long, sexually charged sermon to his sister Issy and her 28 schoolmates from St. Bride's.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pages | 429–473 |
| Vico Age | Democratic (Age of Humans) |
| Time | Deep night |
| Setting | Roadside; St. Bride's School |
| Main Characters | Jaun (Shaun), Issy, the 29 girls |
Synopsis
Jaun Meets the Girls (pp. 429–431)
Jaun rests along the road and encounters the 29 girls from St. Bride's School.
The Sermon Begins (pp. 431–446)
Jaun delivers a moralizing sermon that becomes increasingly sexually suggestive. He singles out Issy for particular attention, mixing religious instruction with barely suppressed desire.
The Courtship (pp. 446–457)
Jaun courts Issy, boasting of his business prospects and promising her gifts.
Issy's Reply (pp. 457–461)
Issy responds with an amorous letter.
Introduction to Dave (pp. 461–468)
Jaun introduces Issy to his brother "Dave" (Shem).
Departure (pp. 468–473)
Jaun takes his leave; the girls bid farewell to "Haun"—Jaun's ghost.
The Sermon's Nature
Jaun's sermon parodies:
- Catholic moral instruction
- Irish nationalist ideology
- Patriarchal "protection" of women
- Sexual hypocrisy
His warnings against sin are themselves saturated with sadistic and incestuous desire.
Key Themes
1. Religious Hypocrisy
Joyce attacks the "increasingly visible, organised, and powerful brand of Catholicism" of the Free State through Shaun/Jaun's pious posturing.
2. Incestuous Desire
Jaun preaches to his sister while clearly desiring her—brother-sister dynamics layered over priest-penitent.
3. Sadism and Control
Jaun's "protection" of Issy involves fantasies of violence and domination.
4. Regression Continues
Shaun → Jaun → (soon) Yawn → (finally) baby. He regresses through the book.
Notable Passages
The Sermon Proper (pp. 432–445)
Jaun warns against sin while fantasizing about it.
The Sadistic Passage (pp. 444–445)
Jaun imagines "riding" Issy like a horse at a rodeo.
Issy's Letter (pp. 457–461)
Her response to her brother/suitor.
The Departure (pp. 468–473)
"Haun" as ghost departing.
Characters in This Chapter
| Character | Appears As | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Shaun | Jaun / Haun | Preacher/suitor |
| Issy | Herself | Audience/beloved |
| The 28 girls | St. Bride's students | Congregation |
| Shem | Dave | Introduced as alternative |
Issy's Response
Issy's letter challenges the patriarchal control Jaun asserts. Her "unbridled sexuality" disrupts Free State constructions of ideal Irish femininity.
Audio Resources
| Resource | Notes |
|---|---|
| One Little Goat | Video with subtitles |
| Patrick Healy reading | Complete audio |
| Waywords and Meansigns | Musical settings |
Reading Tips
- Hear the parody — The pious voice is meant to be ridiculous
- Note the desire — Religious language masks sexual intent
- Watch for "Dave" — Shem enters at the end
- Track the regression — Shaun → Jaun → next: Yawn
Further Reading
- Campbell & Robinson, A Skeleton Key, Chapter 14 commentary
- McHugh, Annotations to Finnegans Wake, pages 429–473
- FWEET — Search "429.01" onward
See Also
- III.1: Shaun the Post — Previous chapter
- III.3: Yawn's Inquest — Next chapter