Blindness and Insight
In week 2 of Understanding the Body with W.B. Yeats & James Joyce, Professor Declan Kiberd explores the theme of Blindness & Insight. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions and listen to the live discussion. In preparation, participants are encouraged (but not required) to read and watch the week 2 excerpts and videos.
Pre-Readings
Presented by Declan Kiberd
- Adam’s Curse by W.B. Yeats. (2 minutes)
- Among Schoolchildren by W.B. Yeats. (2 minutes)
- Excerpt from Lestrygonians episode of Ulysses by James Joyce. Read from “Do you want to go to Molesworth Street?” on p. 172 until “Feeling of white.” on p. 173. (3 minutes)
- Excerpt from On Baile’s Strand by W.B. Yeats. Read from “Twas you who did it…” on p. 86 until the end of the play. (3 minutes)
Blindness & Insight
Presented by Declan Kiberd
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Featured Speakers:
- Declan Kiberd, Emeritus Donald and Marilyn Keough Professor of Irish Studies and Professor of English and Irish Language and Literature
- Briona Ni Dhiarmada, Thomas J. & Kathleen M. O’Donnell Professor of Irish Studies and Concurrent Professor of Film, Television, and Theatre
On Baile’s Strand by W.B. Yeats
Presented by Declan Kiberd
This play by Yeats play dramatizes the gap between heroic ideals and anti-heroic realities.
Ulysses by James Joyce
Presented by Declan Kiberd
In Leopold Bloom’s empathetic musings, Joyce imagines how the world must be renegotiated by the blind person.
Join the Live Virtual Event
Presented by Declan Kiberd
Ask questions and listen to a live discussion with Professor Declan Kiberd on Wednesday, 12 August, at 1 pm EDT. Register to receive information about how to join the live event.
Special Guest during our live event will be:
Briona Ni Dhiarmada is the Thomas J. & Kathleen M. O’Donnell Professor of Irish Studies and Concurrent Professor of Film, Television, and Theatre. She is the originator, writer, producer, and executive producer of the award-winning, multipart documentary series on the Easter Rising, 1916 The Irish Rebellion, and its 86-minute feature version, both narrated by Liam Neeson, that were broadcast and screened internationally throughout 2016 and 2017. She is also the author of the companion book The 1916 Irish Rebellion, published by the University of Notre Dame Press. Professor Nic Dhiarmada has authored over 35 screenplays and 10 documentaries. She is the author of TĂ©acs Baineann, TĂ©acs Mná: FilĂocht Nuala NĂ Dhomhnaill as well as numerous articles on Irish language literature and culture.
Prepare for Next Week
Presented by Declan Kiberd
- “Mise Eire” by Eavan Boland.
- Excerpt from the Penelope episode of Ulysses by James Joyce, p.731-732, from “as for them saying there’s no God…” until the end of the episode.
- “Crazy Jane Talks with the Bishop” by W.B. Yeats.
- Please view this look book with images that Professor Kiberd will be referencing in his lecture and discussion in week 3.
Additional Resources
Presented by Briona Nic Dhiarmada
- 1916 The Irish Rebellion, a 86-minute documentary