CROWN

Forms

crown, crowns, crowned, crowning, Crown

Related terms

head, royal, coronation, king

Explication

Crown, a word that can be deployed as a noun or a verb, is used in a wealth of different ways in Ulysses. While the definition with the largest number of uses is 8 (the coin), it only makes up one-fourth of the total uses. Many of its usages evoke the British monarchy – there are lots of mentions of “the crown” and the Crown” which are both synecdoches that refer directly to British rule. More symbolically, Bloom’s “sham crown Derby” teacup – a gift from Milly – is mentioned four separate times. Crown Derby is a real English porcelain manufacturer which is still in business today.

Crown also tends to carry a spiritual association – “crown of thorns,” “saint Stephen’s iron crown,” etc. Considering this double association – with English royalty and with Christian religion – crowns and crowning seem to be tied to national (and personal) identity.

An interesting property of crown is that it has a range of definitions wide enough that it can almost be considered one of the self-opposite words that we’ve discussed Joyce being so fond of. Crown can be used to represent the highest power in a country (and perhaps the world), but it can also denote something as common and working class as the foam on the top of a glass of beer. Similarly, while only one person in a nation can wear the crown as it refers to monarchy, everyone in a nation possesses a crown as it refers to the top of one’s head.

Definitions and Examples

(n.) 1. An ornament for the head, and immediately derived senses. (also: Christian crown of thorns)

“Crown of thorns and cross.” (5.329)

(n.) 2. A wreath or circular ornament for the head symbolizing victory.

“And all came with nimbi and aureoles and gloriae, bearing palms and harps and swords and olive crowns…” (12.1714)

(n.) 3. The sovereignty, authority, or dominion of which a royal crown is the symbol; the rule, position, or empire of a monarch.

“The crown had no evidence, Mr Power said.” (6.472)

(n.) 4.  fig. Something which adorns or adds distinction like a crown; a chief or crowning ornament or achievement.

“But Gerty’s crowning glory was her wealth of wonderful hair.” (13.116)

(n.) 5. Esp. in names of constellations: a group of stars likened to a crown; usu. with distinguishing word or phrase; spec. = Northern Crown

“Whence, disappearing from the constellation of the Northern Crown he would somehow reappear reborn above delta in the constellation of Cassiopeia…” 17.2019

(n.) 6. The top part of the skull; the top of the head.

“He put his boot on what he had spat, wiping his sole along it, and bent, showing a rawskinned crown, scantily haired.” (10.636)

(n.) 7. The top part of a hat or other covering for the head.

“The sweated legend in the crown of his hat told him mutely: Plasto’s high grade ha.” (4.69)

(n.) 8. Any of various coins, originally one bearing the imprint of a crown. b. A British or English coin (latterly silver) with a face value of five shillings or (now) 25 pence, now minted only for commemorative purposes. Hence: a monetary unit based on this, the sum of five shillings (now hist.).

“”He shot from it two crowns and two shillings.” (2.221)

(n.) 9. In reference to the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company, the oldest remaining English porcelain manufacturer. (not found in OED)

“He filled his own moustachecup, sham crown Derby, smiling.” (4.283)

(v.) 10. To place a crown, coronet, etc., on the head of, as a symbol of newly acquired sovereignty or royal status; to invest with sovereignty or regal power by coronation. Also: to place a crown, etc., on or around (the head).

“…he reflected about the errors of notorieties and crowned heads running counter to morality such as the Cornwall case a number of years before…” (16.1201)

(v.) 11. To cover, surround, or occupy the head or summit of, as a crown does, usu. so as to add beauty or dignity.

“The face of William Shakespeare, beardless, appears there, rigid in facial paralysis, crowned by the reflection of the reindeer antlered hatrack in the hall.” (15.3823)