Cross

Forms: Cross, Across, Crossed, Crosses, Crossing

Explication:

The most common form of “Cross” in Ulysses is “across” which denotes movement from one side to another or a position in relation to another position. Joyce uses this word 64 times throughout Ulysses to express movement or a certain positionality, “A point, live dog, grew into sight running across the sweep of sand,” (U. 3. 294). This is a fairly straightforward usage of the word although it has the ability to retain the Christian imagery of the cross.

Another common form of cross is “crossed” which is the past participle of cross. Crossed is used in multiple ways throughout Ulysses, one of which being the physical act of past movement from one position to another, “He crossed at Nassau street corner,” (U. 8. 551). Crossed can also indicate the act of crossing oneself in a religious manner, “Father Conmee read in secret Pater and Ave and crossed his breast,” (U. 10. 193). This form of cross is unique in that both meanings can be used simultaneously creating a double-entendre. This is important to note as Joyce occasionally employs this word to produce ambiguity in the meaning of the word. In conjunction, cross as the concept of movement and cross as a religious symbol can imply the movement of religion. Leopold Bloom struggles with his Jewish identity in the face of Irish Catholicism which acts in alienating Bloom.

Some other forms of cross used by Joyce include Cross and Crossing. The OED cites Cross as having a few different variations and an ability to occupy multiple parts of speech. Cross is both a verb which means to move from one position to another and a noun which incorporates Christian themes as Jesus was crucified on a wooden cross. This is a relevant definition for Ulysses which draws heavily on Catholicism and religion.

Noun

1. A kind of gibbet used by the ancients (and in later times by some non-Christian nations); a stake, generally with a transverse bar, on which they put to a cruel and ignominious death certain criminals, who were nailed or otherwise fastened to it by their extremities
2. The particular wooden structure on which Jesus Christ suffered death, believed to have consisted of an upright post, with a horizontal crossbar; the holy rood. (Often written with capital C.)
3. The sign of the cross made with the right hand, as a religious act. Cf. sign of the crossat signn. Phrases 1.
4. A representation or delineation of a cross on any surface, varying in elaborateness from two lines crossing each other to an ornamental design painted, embroidered, carved, etc.; used as a sacred mark, symbol, badge, or the like.

Adjective

1. Lying or situated athwart the main direction; transverse; passing from side to side. Also saidfig.of things to which spatial relations are transferred.
2. Passing or lying athwart each other; crossing, intersecting.
3. Diagonally opposite in position (as in a quadrilateral). Obs.rare. Cf. cross-corner n.
4. Contrary, opposite, opposed (toeach other, or to something specified). (Now rarely predicative.)
5. Of events, circumstances, or fortune: Adverse, opposing, thwarting; contrary to one’s desire or liking; unfavourable, untoward.

Verb

1. trans.To crucify. Obs.
2. To make the sign of the cross upon or over.
3. To mark with a cross in sign of a vow; esp.of the vow to wrest the Holy Land from the Saracens; = croise v. 2. Obs.
4. To cancel by marking with a cross or by drawing lines across; to strike out, erase. (lit.andfig.) Const. off, out.

Related Topics:

Religion, Catholicism, Leopold Bloom, Travel, Movement