The Wake of HCE in Shaun the Postman: Duality, Sameness and Universality in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake

Abstract

James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake constitutes one of the highest artistic expressions of modernist literature in the English language. The novel’s departure from realist conventions and its intricate language invite challenging interpretations, fostering an exploration of the narrative in terms of an imitation or reimagination of reality. The distinctive nature of the protagonist’s family, embodying real and metaphorical elements, suggests a potential fusion among the different members. In this regard, this paper focuses on the interpretation of the main male characters – father and sons – as both diverse entities and a unified presence simultaneously, and on the potential rebirth of HCE into Shaun, revealing this fatherly-filial connection especially in the concluding chapters. Central to this exploration is the examination of the concept of “duality”, shedding light on the amalgamation and reimagining of characters into these separate and unified identities. The interplay of characters, particularly the twins, is interpreted as facets of a singular entity, portraying HCE embodying both and affiliating with various characters representing Shaun. Ultimately, the paper aims to unravel the complexities of HCE’s transformation into his son by dissecting the intricacies of duality, sameness and universality throughout the novel.